Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Tuesday maintained suspense over whom the party will support in the presidential race and said he would announce the decision on June 25, when the final picture of the contest is expected to be clear.

Addressing a jam packed Shanmukhanand Hall in North Central Mumbai to mark the 41st foundation day of Shiv Sena, the aging leader also gave a veiled warning to the party’s 20-year-old ally, the BJP, that Shiv Sena may go all alone in the next assembly elections to capture power in Maharashtra, BSP leader Mayawati style.

“If Mayawati can do it in Uttar Pradesh, why can’t we do it in Maharashtra,” Mr Thackeray asked.

It is not for the first time that Mr Thackeray has put the BJP on notice, but the occasion made it the highlight of his speech. It also gave indications of his displeasure over the way the BJP is treating its most trusted ally and taking unilateral decisions without bothering to consult the Sena chief.

Mr Thackeray reiterated his opposition to giving a second term to President A P J Abdul Kalam on the issue of his not rejecting the mercy petition of death row convict in Parliament attack case, Afzal Guru. In fact, Mr Thackeray had earlier put the matter as a litmus test for a presidential candidate seeking his support.