Raj Thackeray assures 'jhunka bhakar' owners of his support

Mumbai, Jun 2 (UNI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray today visited the ''jhunka bhakar'' stall owners who are on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan here against the State Government's proposed move to close down the stalls and expressed his support for their cause.

The Maharashtra Government last month had decided to close down the ''jhunka bhakar'' stalls in the state evoking protest from the stall owners.

Mr Thackeray, while speaking to the stall owners at Azad Maidan alleged that State Government had decided to close down the stalls for covert reasons. ''It has been the tradition that a Maharashtrian always harms another, and the Government's decision substantiates that belief,'' he commented.

He assured the stall owners that his party will back them and not allow the Government to close down their stalls. Mr Thackeray assured he will meet Chief Minister Vilasrao Desmukh to discuss the issue.

UNI