MNS can't make dent in Shiv Sena stronghold: Munde

Mumbai, Feb 14 (UNI) Denying that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will be able to muster the support of Marathi-speaking people in the state assembly elections next year, BJP national general secretary Gopinath Munde today clarified that its partner Shiv Sena is the only party that has been fighting for the cause of Marathi 'manoos'.

''Shiv Sena is the party which is raising the voice for the betterment of sons of soil (Marathi manoos),'' said Mr Munde while talking to reporters here today.

He said MNS chief Raj Thackeray was arrested yesterday after the state government came under pressure from the Centre. Had timely action been taken, the matter would not have prolonged so much, he added.

The former deputy chief minister reiterated that there was no rift between the Sena-BJP alliance in the state.

Mr Munde said it was improper to hold Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar responsible for every incident in the state. His statement was in contravention of the statement made yesterday by BJP state president Nitin Gadkari, who held Mr Pawar responsible for the political upheaval that took place in last 12 days.

Holding the Congress and the NCP responsible for the unrest in various parts of the state, he said it is high time the government owned responsibility for the delayed action and step down on moral grounds.

UNI JM SSS SB KN2012