At a time when MNS chief Raj Thackeray is desperately trying to stage a comeback ahead of BMC elections next year, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has said that he will have a tough time getting success.
At a time when MNS chief Raj Thackeray is desperately trying to stage a comeback ahead of BMC elections next year, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has said that he will have a tough time getting success. However, Lalu on Thursday favoured Raj’s cousin and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and called him a “gentleman”.
In Mumbai for a routine check-up, Mr Yadav stayed in the state guest house Sahyadri at Malabar Hill. Recalling the aggression against north Indians led by Raj, Mr Yadav said, “Raj did not do the appropriate thing by attacking Biharis. I have gathered from my interactions with Uddhav that he is a thorough gentleman. He even keeps in touch to enquire about my health. But his chutku Raj is a bit notorious.”
Raj’s anti-north Indian stance had grabbed him sizeable seats in the last assembly and BMC polls. The party had even resorted to violence against Bihari migrants who come to Mumbai in search of jobs. However, the party lost its sheen after a drubbing in both assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier too, Mr Yadav and other north Indian leaders had criticised MNS’ violent agitations against migrants. Hinting that Raj may not be successful this time round, Mr Yadav said, “It will be difficult for Raj to make a comeback now.” The RJD leader’s statement has come when Raj is struggling to regain his vote bank. The party had to face a huge loss as only one MLA was elected in the 2014 assembly polls as against 14 MLAs in 2009.
Earlier this year, reacting to Raj’s statement urging party workers to resort to violence against non-Maharashtrians, Mr Yadav’s son Tejashwi Yadav had said that Maharashtra is for everyone and not anyone’s sole property.
