By IANS,
Lucknow : Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Wednesday called Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray a “goon” for attacking north Indians in Mumbai and warned that his party was capable of giving him a “befitting reply”.
“He (Thackeray) is a ‘goonda’ (goon) and deserves punishment similar to criminals. He has made a team of criminals and named it as MNS,” Yadav told reporters.
Arrested early Tuesday for instigating attacks on north Indians appearing for railway recruitment exam in Mumbai, Thackeray has been booked for rioting, assault, damage to private and public properties, as well as for provoking hatred among communities.
Terming Thackeray as an “anti-social and anti-national element”, Yadav said the attacks were merely for publicity.
“He has no political base and is doing all this to gain popularity before the elections,” Yadav said.
Yadav also cautioned the MNS to mend its ways and let everyone live in peace.
“We have the capacity to give a befitting reply to Thackeray’s goons in Maharashtra. But we north Indians are peace-loving and liberal people,” Yadav claimed.
“Our party is providing all possible support to the north Indians living in Maharashtra and we have also opened help centres there,” he added.