Mumbai, February 2
Raj Thackeray, estranged nephew of Bal Thackeray and chief of the Maharashtra Navanirman Sena has landed into yet another controversy by questioning the loyalty of actor Amitabh Bachchan to Maharashtra. At a party function in Dharavi on Friday Thackeray in his remarks against migrants living in Mumbai, made a remark at actor Amitabh Bachchan for his loyalty to his home state, Uttar Pradesh. “Amitabh chose to contest elections from Allahabad. Why didn’t he choose Mumbai? He even chose to be the brand ambassador of Uttar Pradesh when he should have represented Maharashtra since he has achieved everything in Mumbai,” Thackeray said.

Reacting to protests against his earlier remarks on the practice of Chhath Pujas being held by north Indians, Thackeray poked fun at Lalu Prasad Yadav who has been demanding his arrest. “As minister of Railways, Lalu Yadav is interested only in his community,” Thackeray said in his speech where he mimicked the union minister’s mannerisms.

Incidentally, the Thackerays are said to be very close to the Bachchan family. Raj Thackeray himself has done several portraits and pen pictures of Amitabh Bachchan that are part of his exhibited works.

Last week at a party function, Thackeray poked fun at the Chhath Pujas undertaken by the people of Bihar and UP. The ritual undertaken on seashores attract a huge following in Mumbai. Thackeray’s remarks calling the Chhath Puja a drama with no meaning for people outside the two states have drawn flak from the large north Indian community in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray’s outburst against Biharis has sparked protests in Bihar with political parties dubbing it an insult. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said “It is in bad taste. Chhath is a religious festival observed as a matter of faith by millions of people and any insult to the festival is condemnable.”

Railways minister Lalu Prasad said such statements were intended to divide the country and were seditious. “Raj Thackeray’s statement is intended to divide the country and promote regional sentiments. He has hurt the religious sensibilities of not only the Biharis but people across the world who celebrate Chhath with deep devotion,” he said.

LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan condemning Thackeray’s remarks, said Biharis settled in Mumbai had recently started celebrating Chhat in a big way, especially at Juhu beach.

BJP leaders, including Arun Kumar Sinha and Sanjiv Chaurasiya, alleged Raj’s statement would adversely affect unity and integrity of the country.