Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110260550800.htm

National

No, says Deshmukh

New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has rejected the demand for booking Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray, whose party has targeted north Indians in the State, under the National Security Act saying he did not agree with this.

“I don’t agree. I don’t agree. See what sections to be applied for it is entirely up to the jurisdiction of the State government,” Mr. Deshmukh told NDTV.

His remarks assume significance as they came in the wake of strong demand which was understood to have been made by some UPA allies at a cabinet meeting here on Thursday to slap NSA against Raj Thackeray and their criticism of the Deshmukh government for allegedly going soft in dealing with him.

Mr. Deshmukh indicated a different set and perhaps tougher laws needed to be invoked against MNS chief .

“Twice we arrested him and you saw twice he got the bail. So, unless and until we have a different set of law or sections wherein a person can be booked....,” he said.

Asked about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s writing a letter to him on MNS issue, the Chief Minister said there was “nothing wrong in it.” — PTI