Don't take credit for anti-Cong sentiments:Thackeray to Anna

Pune, Nov 7: In a sarcastic attack on Anna Hazare and his team, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today (Nov 7) asked the social activist not to take any credit for "the anti-Congress sentiments" in the country created by rising prices.

Referring to Hazare's recent statement that he would launch anti-Congress campaign in the five poll bound states if Lokpal Bill is not passed in Parliament's winter session, he said, "Rising prices have shaken the Congress-led government. Coalition partners Trinamool Congress and DMK are restless and if they withdraw their support to topple UPA, Team Anna will try to take credit for the same."

Thackeray said, "Taking credit for the Hisar bypoll result too was hypocrisy on part of Team Anna as Congress had lost the seat in the earlier election in the constituency."

In an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', Thackeray said, "How can one describe his greatness? His ways are unique. He undertakes fast and also observes 'maun vrat' for soul searching. At times he praises Narendra Modi and also hails Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi.

"Anna is a patriot and he has driven truck on the battle field and, therefore, all citizens should respect him. But this same'Anna Maharaj'has retained Prashant Bhushan in his core committee even after he made an anti-national statement on the Kashmir issue."

The Shiv Sena chief said,"Kejriwal, Bedi, Sisodia are facing allegations of financial irregularities. Bhushan son- and-father duo have taken an anti-national posture on Kashmir and still they are all dear to Anna.

"I am not opposed to Hazare's anti-corruption movement but I do not believe in stunts and hypocritical postures.

PTI