Upset over the poor show of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in traditional strongholds of Mumbai and Thane, Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Monday said the 'Marathi manoos' should explain reasons for not voting for the party.
"The saffron march continued in rest of the state but Mumbai and Thane have given me pain at this age," the 82-year-old Thackeray said in an editorial comment in Sena mouthpiece Saamana.
Without naming nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray, the Sena chief said, "Congress took help of Suryaji Pisal to divide Marathi votes."
Suryaji Pisal was a renegade Maratha who in 1689 opened the defences of the Raigad fort to the besieging Mughal invaders.
The Marathi voter, who strayed away from the Sena, should explain to us why he did so and what harm had Shiv Sena done to him, Thackeray said.
Congress indulged in the British policy of divide and rule and Marathi people fell prey to it, Thackeray rued.
Thackeray's comments follow reports that presence of MNS candidates in the Lok Sabha elections was the main reason for the defeat of Sena-BJP candidates in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane.
Thackeray's comments follow reports that presence of MNS candidates in the Lok Sabha elections was the main reason for the defeat of Sena-BJP candidates in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane.