Wednesday, August 17 2005 14:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A day after Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray demanded expulsion of `inactive' people from the party, thereby indirectly taking on his cousin and party executive president Uddhav Thackeray, top leaders of the party today (August 17, 2005) met to discuss the situation.

The Sena Chief, Bal Thackeray, Uddhav and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi were present at the meeting, held at the Thackeray family residence 'Matoshri' in suburban Bandra. Raj was not present at the meeting. However, party sources said that he would be meeting the Sena Chief tomorrow, after which the latter was expected to address media on the current crisis in the party.

Today's meeting discussed ramifications of Raj's outburst yesterday wherein he demanded removal of `inactive' members and suggested restructuring of Shiv Sena.

Although Raj did not name the `inactive' people, the remarks were considered to be directed against some persons appointed to the party posts by Uddhav, party sources said.

Raj had also indirectly criticised Uddhav's decision to send party workers from Mumbai along with him on his recent visit to Konkan region in the aftermath of heavy rains which caused large-scale damage in the region. Raj said the presence of workers from Mumbai during his visit to Sindhudurg district, stronghold of expelled Sena leader Narayan Rane, had created tension and he cut short the visit as he "did not want Shiv Sainiks fighting among themselves."

Joshi told reporters today that the Sena chief was the final authority in the Sena. Asked if Raj's remarks would be construed as a breach of discipline, Joshi, who met Raj and Uddhav separately today, refused to comment. "Raj, like me, is a leader of the Sena", he said."If there is any issue between the brothers, it should be sorted out amicably", he said. While Uddhav is the Sena chief's son, Raj is his nephew.

However, Joshi said problems, if any, should be brought to the notice of the Sena chief, instead of discussing them in media.Rajya Sabha member and executive editor of Sena mouth piece Sanjay Raut, against whom Raj had made certain remarks, today said he stuck to the article written by him in the paper which mentioned that Raj should not have cut short the Konkan visit and if the situation warranted so, should have got himself arrested.

Raut is considered a supporter of Uddhav and was also a target of Rane's ire for `defaming people in the Sena who are opposed to Uddhav'. Raut, who was in Delhi, came to Mumbai in the afternoon and rushed to Matoshri.