Sachin not a true Maharashtrian: Shiv Sena

Pune, Nov 22: Sachin Tendulkar's 'Mumbai for all' comment was targeted again by the Shiv Sena as party leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the cricket icon may be great, but can never be greater than Maharashtra.

In an article in party mouthpiece Saamna, Sena MP Sanjay Raut wrote, "Tendulkar is not a true Maharashtrian as he never did much to promote cricketers in the state."

"There has been no instance of Sachin extending a helping hand to other Marathi cricketers. Forget others, he did not even support Vinod Kambli," Raut alleged.

The article futher said, "In this context, Gavaskar is a genuine 'Maharashtrian' and the whole country loves him even now in the same way."

"Players like Sachin have become rich because of game of cricket. Sachin's wealth has crossed Rs 200-crore mark. We expect Sachin to be as 'proud' of Maharashtra as Saurav Ganguly is of Bengal," it said.

"Rahul Dravid too is a Marathi player but he is loyal to Karnataka," Raut said.

Raut's statements came days after Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Nov 16 accused the cricket icon of hurting Marathi sentiments with his "Mumbai for all" remark.

OneIndia News