Lalu wants stricter action against Raj
The arrest of MNS chief Raj Thackeray was not enough and more stringent action was needed to be taken against him, leaders of various political parties said on Tuesday.
The arrest of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was not enough and more stringent action was needed to be taken against him, leaders of various political parties said on Tuesday.
LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh felt that Thackeray could be out on bail soon and non-Maharashtrians could be targeted again while Railway Minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad sought stricter measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Congress MP Priya Dutt said by only arresting Thackeray, attacks on north Indians could not be stopped.
Prasad said "more stringent action is required against people who carry out such actions in the name of regionalism".
Paswan, the Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers, said "Thackeray will be out on bail soon and again indulge in violent activities. The Centre should take steps like use of Article 355 or something similar to control the situation in Maharashtra".
The prevailing situation in the state was "dangerous" and the administration has "failed" to do anything, he said. Both Prasad and Paswan were speaking to reporters outside Parliament.
SP General Secretary Singh described Thackeray's arrest as a "reactionary" step by the Maharashtra government.
"Raj Thackeray's arrest by Mumbai Police was a reactionary step and by afternoon he would be released, and no action will be taken against him," he said.
Accusing state Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil of playing the "divide and rule" game, Singh said they will never benefit from it.