Mumbai, July 02: The two-day Shiv Sena conclave got underway at Uttan in neighbouring Thane district today with the main opposition party in Maharashtra making it clear that it was not interested in toppling the Democratic Front government. The party would instead prefer to utilise the anti-incumbency factor during the forthcoming assembly polls, Sena leader Raj Thackeray told reporters before the commencement of the "Nirdhar Shibir" being held at the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini Training Centre.

The brain-storming session, convened to finetune the party's strategy for the assembly polls, was inaugurated by the leader of the opposition in the assembly, Narayan Rane. The fragile state economy with debts amounting to nearly Rs 90,000 crore, acute water scarcity, lack of infrastructure and power shortage were the issues that would be discussed at the conclave.

Prof S G Shevde was expected to deliver a lecture on the concept of Hindutva during the first session. Senior leaders, including Chandrahas Raut, Subhash Desai, were expected to talk on various topics relating to the Sena's performance, electoral strategies and related issues.

Sena executive president, Uddhav Thackeray, would address the concluding session tomorrow.

Bureau Report