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Ceasefire offer: PM
turns down Sena request

Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on Friday told a delegation of Shiv Sena Members of Parliament that he would not withdraw the ceasefire offer to militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Sena delegation comprised Union Heavy Industries Minister Manohar Joshi, Sanjay Nirupam, Adhik Shirodkar, Subodh Mohite and Mohan Rawle.

After meeting the prime minister, Joshi told reporters, "We pointed out to him that militants never thought of ceasefire during the Amarnath yatra."

The delegation reminded the prime minister that Sena supremo Bal Thackeray had demanded that India stop playing cricket with Pakistan. At that time, the prime minister stated that politics and games do not go together.

"But recently, the cricket team was refused permission to tour Pakistan," Joshi added.

He, however, clearly stated that the Sena had no plans to withdraw support to the National Democratic Alliance government.

Sena sources say Vajpayee told them that some problems could not be solve by any other means. There is a likelihood of the prime minister speaking to Thackeray over the phone and explain the government's viewpoint.

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