By IANS,
Mumbai: Blaming the north Indian migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for the auto strike that inconvenienced thousands of Mumbaikars Monday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray lashed out against them with renewed vigour Tuesday.
Stating that Mumbai Auto-Rickshawmen’s Union leader Sharad Rao had no other business, Thackeray said MNS would intervene to see to it that the hapless Mumbaikars are no longer inconvenienced due to the strike.
Rao has threatened to go on an indefinite strike next month if their demands of fare hike and no harassment from transport officials are not met.
“If he (Rao) continues to behave like this, it will be difficult for him to step outside his house. Let him be ready to face the challenge of Raj Thackeray and the wrath of the people,” Thackeray told reporters at a press conference.
Thackeray said that it was the second time in two weeks that auto drivers went on a strike in the city, giving commuters in the suburbs a harrowing time.
Stating that over 95 percent of the automen caught indulging in malpractices were from UP and Bihar, Thackeray said that these immigrants stayed in Mumbai using fake documents.
Thackeray also hinted that the real motive behind the strike was not fare hike, but their desire to protest against transport officials for punishing automen who regularly tampered with their meters.