Bal Thackeray finally crosses swords with Raj Thackeray

Mumbai, Dec 22 (UNI) Firing a salvo for the first time at his estranged nephew Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has reminded the former that whatever success he has achieved is owing to his former party.

It is, therefore, ludicrous that Raj Thackeray should criticise the Shiv Sena, Bal Thackeray has said in his editorial in the party mouthpiece ''Saamna''.

The editorial entitled ''Vedya mula, vaya gelas tu (silly fellow, you have gone astray)'' goes on to say, ''Those children who grew with us, are now trying to imitiate us and have even betrayed us.'' Raj Thackeray, who was president of the Shiv Sena's youth wing, the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena, had quit the party over a year ago while casting aspersions on his cousin and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray.

However, both Mr Bal Thackeray and his son Uddhav have avoided openly attacking Raj Thackeray. On one occasion, however, Mr Bal Thackeray had asked Raj to desist from displaying his (Mr Bal Thackeray's) photographs.

With the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections round the corner, a cold war appears to be hotting up within the family as evidenced by yesterday's editorial.

The editorial also refers to the Rs 421 crore deal to purchase Kohinoor Mill land in which Raj Thackeray is a partner. ''Is it not a fact that the deal could be achieved because of Shiv Sena,'' questioned the editorial.

The editorial, while lambasting Raj Thackeray for his oft-repeated question as to what the Shiv Sena had done for the state, said that even the Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party MP Abu Asim Azmi, would dare to ask such a question to the Shiv Sena. The editorial wondered as to how this question is being raised by a person who has grown up on Mr Bal Thackeray's lap.

UNI JM MAZ YA DB2122