Sunday, September 11 2005 19:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Activists of the pro-Kannada 'Karnataka Rakshanaa Vedike' today (Sept 11, 2005) disrupted a meeting of Shiv Sena in Bangalore demanding that its supremo Bal Thakrey tender an apology for 'driving away' Kannadigas from Mumbai many years ago.

Tension prevailed for some time as nearly 50 activists of the Vedike stormed into the Sena meeting venue and raised slogans against the saffron outfit, which had recently floated its unit in Karnataka under the leadership of Pramod Mutalik.

Sena activists resorted to counter-sloganeering upping the ante. Vedike activists threw away some chairs. A few of the Sena and Vedike activists exchanged blows but none were seriously hurt. A heated argument ensued.

Mutalik intervened and held out an assurance that the Vedike's sentiments would be conveyed to Thakrey when he visits Karnataka and the Sena supremo would give his reaction to the issue raised by them.

After this promise, the Vedike activists walked out and the meeting, first to be held under the chairmanship of Mutalik here, resumed its proceedings.

Later talking to reporters, Mutalik said the Sena would contest elections in Karnataka on its own strength and would have no truck with the BJP.

On the boundary dispute over Belgaum bordering Maharashtra, he said Supreme Court verdict on the issue would be binding on Shiv Sena.