Deshmukh discusses Thackeray's anti-Bihari comments with Sonia

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today discussed the anti-north Indian issue with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, amid the thinking in the Congress in favour of seeking a legal opinion on Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray's comments against Biharis and MPs from north India.

Talking to mediapersons after his long meeting with Ms Gandhi, he said what was needed first was to seek a legal opinion on the whole issue.

''If any editorial hurts the sentiment of other people, it can break the law and order situation,'' Mr Deshmukh said, while adding that a legal opinion had to be sought on the issue.

In this context, he said any action would be possible only after determining the sections of IPC which had to be invoked.

Mr Thackeray, in an editorial, today strongly condemned the tirade against Maharashtra by Bihar MPs in Parliament, saying such behaviour was akin to spitting in the plate from which they have eaten for the past several years.

UNI SH BDP AS2246