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'Only those disloyal to Maharashtra will criticise Thackeray'

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray says that malicious reporting against his family is tantamount to being disloyal to Maharashtra. ''Hence, such disloyalty has to be crushed,'' he said.

Thackeray said the media should not print stories without cross-checking. ''I will never accept 'question mark' journalism. Reporters are the people's representatives, and should highlight their problems.''

''In the past, editors used to work to enlighten people. But now they try to show off their intellect,'' said Thackeray.

The Sena chief also criticised senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar for trying to create a rift in his party with the help of some reporters. ''He has many reporters in his pockets,'' said Thackeray. ''But we will not let him succeed in his ugly designs.''

Thackeray also came down heavily against the media for trying to create a rift between him and litterateur P L Deshpande over the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award. ''Chief Minister Manohar Joshi was adamant that I should accept the award,'' he said. ''But I recommended P L Deshpande's name. The media, however, started publishing anti-Deshpande quotes, and attributed them to me.

''We know how to make our critics surrender. Those who stood against Shiv Sena have sank to the bottom.''

Compiled from the Marathi media by Prasanna D Zore

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