The rift between long-standing allies Shiv Sena and BJP widened on Tuesday with each daring the other to break off ties and Sena supremo Bal Thackeray asking the BJP to know its limits. The apology does not appear to have had the desired effect with indications from the BJP camp showing indifference to it. BJP leaders in fact want Sena to change its attitude and show its implementation on the ground by refraining from attacking the Vajpayee government. Making it plain to BJP that it was free to break the alliance, Thackeray told reporters in Mumbai, “They (BJP) must know their limits. I know my limits. I am an independent person who takes his own decision.”

Unhappy with BJP on the way its leaders had criticised Sena following Nirupam`s criticism of PMO, Thackeray said, “They (BJP) had come to me, I had not gone to them. If they want to break off they can do it. If they issue more threats to us we will not keep quiet.” Bureau Report