Govt should have arrested Raj Thackeray earlier: Amar Singh

Nagpur, Oct 22 (UNI) Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Amar Singh today said the attacks on North Indians in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra could have been avoided if the Maharashtra government had arrested MNS leader Raj Thackeray earlier.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Singh alleged that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil were deliberately encouraging Raj Thackeray with the intention of finishing the Shiv Sena.

''However, the Shiv Sena cannot be finished like this. It is headed by Balasaheb Thackeray,'' he said.

The last municipal elections in Mumbai and others parts of Maharashtra showed where the MNS stood and the strength of the Shiv Sena in the metropolis, Mr Singh said. If the Chief Minister and his deputy decide, they can prevent MNS and Raj from committing any mischief anywhere in the state, he said.

Describing the law and order situation in Maharashtra as 'pathetic,' Mr Singh said the government was solely responsible for the frequent communal riots taking place in the state.

In reply to a question, Mr Singh said the railway recruitment board should release advertisements in local newspapers for vacancies at a particular place. ''This will eliminate the need for candidates from one state to go to another, and thereby prevent disturbances and violence,'' he added.

Mr Singh was on his way from New Delhi to Raipur, and made a brief stopover here to board a connecting flight.

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