New Delhi:
Political voices across party lines have united in condemning Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief
Raj Thackeray's comments on Hindi news channels accusing them of distorting his statements about people from northern states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and threatening to shut them all down if they did not stop misquoting his speeches.
Raj Thackeray, MNS Chief on Friday, August 31"The letter says Mumbai police has to get in touch with the Bihar government before picking up any person from their state. If Mumbai Crime Branch picks up people from their state without the knowledge of the Bihar police they would face legal action. If the Bihar government tries to become a hurdle in the way of a police investigation, then my party would dub every Bihari in Maharashtra as an infiltrator and would force them to leave the state,"
Nitish Kumar, Bihar Chief Minister"It is the duty of the Central government and the government of the state (Maharashtra) to take note of the conduct of a person like Thackeray and deal sternly with such elements."
Raj Thackeray, MNS Chief on Sunday, September 2"I want to tell the Hindi news channel to first understand the issue before it is broadcast ...otherwise we know how to deal with it."
Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena Supremo"The Bihar CM should have congratulated Mumbai police as their action prevented Abdul Qadir from fomenting more trouble in that state."
Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Home Minister"Everybody has a right to go anywhere and seek employment. It is not fair to target media. At times media criticises people and it should be accepted."
Manish Tiwari, Congress Spokesperson"I request media to boycott such people who make public communication violent. He gives such statements because he is being given coverage."
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP leader "I think this is Congress sponsored. They come to know about what letter did the Bihar government write to the Maharashtra government before anyone else. The Chief Secretary, Home Secretary come to know about all this later. This has raised various questions in itself."
Prakash Karat, CPI(M) General Secretary"We must conduct a investigation on whatever Raj Thackeray has said. It needs to be looked into."
Mayawati, BSP Chief "Action needs to be taken against Raj Thackeray for using this kind of language for the people and the media. This is all happening because the state government is giving him the liberty. The state government needs to take action and book him under acts."
(
With PTI inputs)