Thackeray son in scandal

The Shiy Sena Government is under increasing attack from opposition benches in the Legislative Council.

In a strange and twisted case, Sena chief Bal Thackeray's son Jaidev has been implicated in an alleged extortion attempt.

'What is the truth in the Jaidev Thackeray case?' demanded Leader of the Opposition, Chagan Bhujbal.

In a sarcastic vein that may have gone over the heads of some of the council's more rustic members, Mr Bhujbal insisted that full police protection be accorded Mr Thackeray's son.

That, of course, is the opposition and media bone of contention. Underworld member Keshav Pujari was arrested in Jaidev Thackeray's building last month. Pujari had allegedly threatened to murder builder Krishna Chamankar over a land dispute.

The builder then made this sensational disclosure to the police; Pujari had made several threatening phone calls saying he was a close associate of Jaidev Thackeray.