Patna, May 5 :Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday threw a new challenge before his political rival and Railways Minister Lalu Prasad. He asked him to ensure stern action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for his remarks against north Indians.
A day after Thackeray renewed his campaign against north Indian migrants, Nitish Kumar said Lalu Prasad as an influential minister in the United Progressive Alliance government should ensure stringent action against Thackeray. "Lalu Prasad should use his influence to initiate stern action against Thackeray," Nitish Kumar said here.
Kumar said he had urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh nearly two months ago to ensure stringent action against Raj Thackeray when he issued remarks against north Indians. But it is unfortunate that no action was taken against Thackeray except a ritual arrest, he said.
Kumar said he had also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging the central government to intervene in saving the lives and property of north Indians in Maharashtra in the wake of violent attacks against them by vested elements at the instigation of Thackeray.
In January, the MNS chief had criticised north Indians, especially people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar living in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashta, on various issues including performing the Chhat Puja festival.
His controversial remarks sparked off violence in different parts of Maharashtra between MNS activists and north Indians.
