Thackeray flays Pawar over 'warning' to Athawale

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today ridiculed Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's 'warning' to RPI leader Ramdas Athavale over his growing proximity to Shiv Sena, saying there was "no reason for the NCP chief to have a stomach ache" over Athawale siding with the Sena.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Tuesday ridiculed Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's 'warning' to RPI leader Ramdas Athavale over his growing proximity to Shiv Sena, saying there was "no reason for the NCP chief to have a stomach ache" over Athawale siding with the Sena.

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"Pawar has advised Athawale not to ally with Shiv Shakti (Sena). He and his colleagues want Bhim Shakti (Dalits) to live off the morsels thrown their way by ruling Congress-NCP combine," Thackeray said in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

There is no reason for the NCP chief to have a "stomach ache" over Athawale siding with the Sena, he said.

"The name of Ambedkar and his thoughts did not work in Maharashtra but Mayawati captured power in Uttar Pradesh using the same," Thackeray said.

Thackeray also accused Congress of causing a rift in Dalit unity in the state.

"You have trodden along the path of Ambedkar's philosophy of social justice. If you give it up, people will desert you," Pawar had warned Athavale two days ago after the RPI leader recently visited Thackeray at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra.