Bhujbal for action against Thackeray

Patna, Mar 16 (UNI) Senior NCP leader and former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Chhagan Bhujbal today said lawful action would be taken against Maharashra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray for his alleged remarks, hurting the sentiments of Biharis.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Bhujbal said none would be allowed to divide the country on regional and linguistic lines, adding an FIR against Mr Thackeray had been lodged for his inflammatory speech.

Fundamental rights of the people from the other parts of the country living in Maharshtra would be protected at any cost, he added.

Mr Thackeray had made inflammatory speech during the first anniversary of the foundation day of his party to gain cheap publicity, Mr Bhujbal alleged.

Referring to the rally to be held here tomorrow, he said it had nothing to do with party affiliations, adding leaders from all political parties had been invited to participate in the rally.

He said the rally had been organised under the patronage of Mahatma Phule Parishad to unite the Other Backward Classes(OBC) in their struggle for political and economic uplift.

Mr Bhujbal welcomed the decision of the UPA government to provide 27 per cent reservation for the students of OBC in premier educational institutions, including IITs and IIMs.

He refused to make any observation on functioning of the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, saying his visit to the state was ''apolitical''.

UNI