Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has directed partymen to show black flags to Rahul Gandhi when he visits Mumbai on Friday in protest against his Mumbai-for-all comment. The Sena moves have prompted chief minister Ashok Chavan to send out a clear warning to ?those who try to take the law into their hands.? He said the state police would do what would be required.
With the Sena and Congress locked in a war of words over the issue of migrants in Mumbai, Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday questioned the timing of Rahul Gandhi?s visit. ?What was the need for this visit now? We will not tolerate anything spoken against Mumbai and Marathi pride,? he said.
Rahul had taken on the Sena, maintaining that Mumbai was for all Indians and people had a right to go anywhere. Bal Thackeray retaliated with personal attacks, calling him ?totally frustrated? and saying ?Mumbai may belong to all Indians but how can it belong to an Italian mummy??
During his visit, Rahul will interact with college students at the Bhaidas Hall and then proceed to Ramabai Nagar slum colony in Ghatkopar to meet slum youth. The visit is part of an ongoing Mumbai Youth Congress membership drive for organisational elections.
Chief minister Chavan warned the Sena: ?We are watchful and will take action against those who try to take law into their hands.?
On Sena MP Sanjay Raut?s threat to Shah Rukh Khan that he could face consequences if he refused to apologise for his remarks against the exclusion of Pakistani cricketers in IPL, Chavan said all those who need protection under the circumstances will be provided.
He condemned Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray for ?touching a new low? in politics with their comments on Rahul Gandhi. ?Nowhere in Indian politics, such a low level of personal allegations is seen. I condemn their utterances.?
Chavan said the posturing of Shiv Sena and MNS was part of their ?political agenda? as both parties were bracing for the civic elections in Mumbai. ?We are also alive to the problems faced by Marathi people and the government will act within the constitutional framework,? he said.
Meanwhile, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar advised the Bal Thackeray family to ?strictly? follow his Art of Living regimes in order to calm their nerves. ?Thackeray parivaar ko Art of Living ki sakht zaroorat hai (The Thackeray family strictly need Art of Living lessons),? Ravi Shankar said.