Mumbai, June 14: Reiterating his opposition to CAS, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray clarified that he had asked Union Information and Broadcating Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad that the new system should be implemented in the metropolis only after it achieves success in Delhi. Thackeray, in a statement issued late last night, hours after prolonged parleys with Prasad, said "implement CAS first in the national capital. If it is successful there, then we will see about carrying out in Mumbai.”
The Sena chief clarified that his talks with Prasad for nearly two-and-a-half hours, remained "inconclusive" and expressed surprise over media reports that his party had softened its stance on the issue.
Prasad, while briefing reporters after his discussions with Thackeray, had said he had got "blessings" from the Sena chief and had assured the latter that his genuine concerns' about protecting consumers and cable operators will be addressed by the Centre.
Thackeray's statement clarified that he had told the Minister that Sena will not accept CAS just because the government has taken a decision about it.
"We will consider agreeing to your set-top boxes only if interests of consumers and cable operators are protected,” the Sena chief said.
Bureau Report