'Stop influx of 'outsiders' into M'rashtra'

Raj Thackeray says the influx of "outsiders" into Maharashtra should be stopped immediately and political parties in the state ignore this problem as they consider outsiders as a 'vote bank'.

The influx of "outsiders" into Maharashtra should be stopped immediately, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said.

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"The political parties in the state ignore this problem as they consider outsiders as a 'vote bank'," he said in an informal chat with the mediapersons at the Government Circuit House in Vidarbha last evening.

"I am concerned about Maharashtra and the 'Marathi manoos' and I cannot remain silent when my people are being exploited," Raj said.

Pointing out the difference in quantum of aid given to the victims of earthquakes at Latur in Maharashtra and Bhuj in Gujarat, he asked why the so-called philanthropists, hailing from other states but residing in Maharashtra, had adopted "discriminatory" attitude in providing assistance.

The aid for Latur victims of 1993 quake was meagre as compared to financial assistance given for the 2001 Bhuj earthquake victims, he claimed.

Asked about the reasons for backwardness of Vidarbha and suicide by farmers, Raj said, "the special packages announced by the Union and the state governments have failed to wipe the tears of the farmers."

Later addressing party workers in Yavatmal, Raj asked the youth to take up the responsibility of halting the large-scale entry of outsiders into the state.