Rane not responsible for commotion at Sonia's rally: Thackeray

Mumbai, Jun 22 (UNI) Coming to the rescue of Revenue Minister Narayan Rane, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray today said the former was not responsible for the recent fracas at the Congress convention on Friday, addressed by Sonia Gandhi.

''I do not think that Mr Rane was responsible for the incident,'' Mr Thackeray said while speaking at a function here.

''Mr Rane would not do such a thing,'' he underlined.

Referring to his ''love for Maharashtra'', the MNS Chief noted every person loves his motherland and this was true of him also.

In this regard, he cited the example of the recent agitation by the Sikh community here in the metropolis and former Director General of Police (DGP) Dr P S Pasricha's reported remarks that the demonstrators are ''our own people''.

Likewise, former Mumbai Police Commissioner M N Singh is also seen attending programmes organised by North Indians, he remarked.

Mr Thackeray stressed that Maharashtrians, too, should show similar love and affection for their people.

Mr Thackeray criticised Joint Commissioner of Police K L Prasad for issuing a gag order against him and asked, ''What was Mr Prasad doing when the agitating Sikhs brandished swords before the police?'' UNI JN SR ATI RN1915