Mumbai, Feb 27: After the Shiv Sena-BJP combine adopted an aggressive posture on the row concerning Veer Savarkar, the Congress and NCP--the ruling partners in Maharashtra-- today apparently softened their stance, saying they had never called the Hindu Mahasabha leader a "traitor". "We do not agree with Savarkar's ideology..But we have never called him a traitor", NCP spokesman Vasant Chavan told reporters here. MPCC chief Ranjit Deshmukh at a separate press conference said "we have never doubted the patriotism of Savarkar". Sena supremo Bal Thackeray had yesterday lashed out at Congress and other parties for opposing unveiling of Savarkar's portrait in the central hall of Parliament. Asked why Congress then opposed the installation of Savarkar's portrait Ranjit said "It is because the AICC felt that it would not be proper as Savarkar was an accused in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi".

The reaction from NCP and Congress comes after Shiv Sena-BJP Saffron combine held state-wide demonstrations on the issue directing their ire at AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Left parties.

Bureau Report