Migrants' row snowballs with fresh outburst

Mumbai, May 6 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has demanded action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray for his incendiary speech against north Indian migrant workers at a recent rally in Mumbai.

"Such elements should not be given a free hand, as their credibility in solving issues is in doubt. The Maharashtra Government should take prompt action and not allow divisive forces to prevail," Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the fresh provocation has caused Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil to say that Thackjeray's fresh outburst would be examined closely.

"Thackeray's speech will be analysed, and if there is anything illegal, we will take action. Further investigations will be carried forward after taking suggestions from the legal department. At present, the speech is still being studied and we cannot say anything much," he said.

While addressing a news conference in Mumbai, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi said "We have set up a help line in the state in order to help the north Indians who had been victimized in the wave of violence unleashed by Thackeray and his goons".

In a fresh outburst, Thackeray had accused north Indians of trying to "invade" Maharashtra's culture by intimidating locals. He had asked everyone to speak in Marathi with the pre-dominantly north Indian taxi drivers and report the matter to MNS if they did not comply.

Thackeray allegedly mimicked Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh and Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha.

ANI