Tendulkar's nomination Congress' dirtiest trick: Thackeray

Mumbai, April 29 (IANS) Reiterating that cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to Rajya Sabha was the Congress' "dirtiest play", Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray Sunday said the party has an ulterior motive in the move.

"It is Congress's dirtiest play, the real Dirty Picture," he said, speaking to reporters after he was conferred a lifetime achievement award by Raipur-based magazine Cartoon Watch at a function here.

Thackeray had, in his party mouthpiece Saamna, Saturday said that Tendulkar's fans would have loved to call him Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar rather than only Sachin Tendulkar, the MP. He also alleged that Congress is trying to divert media's attention by doing so.

He, however, said he was proud of Tendulkar and his achievements and contribution in the field of cricket.

Thackeray, who was in good spirits after the award function, spoke on and joked about various subjects. He also said that his cartoons took a back seat as he was busy with bring the party (Shiv Sena) to the fore.

In a total out of blue topic, Thackeray also said that he has stopped smoking cigars. "I have stopped smoking cigars. Now, I only drink wine," he said.

Thackeray also took pot shots at social activist Anna Hazare and said that he should first take care of those who are corrupt within his team and then talk about eradicating corruption from the country.

Asked about who he thinks would be a suitable President of India next, he said he has not thought about it yet.

"Don't you find one suitable person for the post of president? After every five years this whole thing starts," he said.

He also hit out at union Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's recent statement that the next president must be a person without political leanings.

"Don't tell me about Pawar, he is an unreliable man," he said sarcastically.