Shiv Sena burns Raj Thackeray's effigy

Varanasi, Mar 9 (UNI) Hours after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray launched a scathing verbal attack against the non-Marathi population of Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena here today burnt an effigy of their former firebrand leader.

Led by Sena's city president Shiv Seth and district student wing chief Varun Singh, the saffron brigade burnt the effigy of Raj and shouted anti-MNS slogans in Mehmoorganj locality here today.

''Ask him to mind his language or else the non-Marathi population of Maharashtra, especially those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will return MNS slaps with a greater attack in the western state,'' the Sena activists said.

Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's rebel nephew Raj Thackeray had earlier in the day threatened to slap migrants, who did not respect the interests of locals in Maharashtra.

''If someone abuses the localites. I will not hesitate to slap him, if it continues then it will be repeated, slaps for the breakfast, lunch and dinner,'' Mr Thackeray had said as his party MNS celebrated its first anniversary.

UNI