Front Page

Now Thackeray targets Bihar, U.P. MPs

Sena chief Bal Thackeray

PUNE/NEW DELHI: Stoking a fresh round of confrontation with his anti-North Indian comments, Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray on Wednesday targeted MPs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh triggering an angry reaction in Parliament with a privilege motion moved against him.

Mr. Thackeray also said Biharis were an “unwanted” lot in all parts of the country.

“The U.P.-Bihari MPs have shown their ingratitude towards Mumbai and Maharashtra with an anti-Marathi tirade in Parliament,” Mr. Thackeray said in an editorial in his party journal Saamna.

The comments had their echo in the Lok Sabha when Devendra Yadav of the RJD demanded action against Mr. Thackeray after which the Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, said the Shiv Sena chief’s references amounted to contempt of the House. The Speaker asked the MP “to follow the procedure” for any action to be taken.

Later, Mr. Yadav, who hails from Bihar, gave notice of breach of privilege against Mr. Thackeray, accusing him of “lowering the dignity of MPs as also Parliament”. Some MPs from Uttar Pradesh were also a party to the notice. Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said Mr. Thackeray’s comments were “derogatory”. - PTI

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu