Mayawati seeks Centre’s shield for North Indians

DAYS OF THE RAJ? The war of words between Thackarey and Azmi has become a bitterly fought battle on the streets of Mumbai.

Other stories in the section:

Admit Marathi students first, MNS to minority colleges

MNS has promised to keep a close watch on state college admissions.

• Raj Thackeray calls for quota for Maharashtrians
• Show restraint, police notice warns Raj Thackeray
• Bangalore feels the pinch of the power crisis
• JD(S) committee meet to decide on trust vote: Gowda

Featured Blog

Ashutosh

When our MPs went on sale

Featured Slideshows

Related Headlines

powered by

• Admit Marathi students first, MNS to minority colleges
• Raj Thackeray calls for quota for Maharashtrians
• Show restraint, police notice warns Raj Thackeray
• Bangalore feels the pinch of the power crisis
• JD(S) committee meet to decide on trust vote: Gowda

Keywords: Centre, Mayawati

Mumbai: The ripple effect of the vandalism in Mumbai is now being heard in other states too. Mayawati and Nitish Kumar went out to bat for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar natives as they come under attack.

Raj Thackeray, after breaking away from the Shiv Sena, is looking to kick start his solo political career. Facing off against him is the Samajwadi Party's state president Abu Asim Azmi, a self-proclaimed leader of the north Indians, who also wants to carve out his political identity.

Their war of words has become a bitterly fought battle on the streets of Mumbai, but few are convinced the tactic will work for either.

"Samajwadi does not necessarily represent the entire north Indian community and Raj Thackeray is not the only Maharashtrian leader,” Editor Loksatta Kumar Ketkar remarked.

The ruling Cong-NCP first chose to ignore the spat between two fringe players, but stepped in when the situation started spiralling out of control.

"If there is a need I will not hesitate in using this lathi,” Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil was quoted as saying.

In fact that is almost echoing the language which Mayawati used against Raj Thackeray. She went to the extent of demanding Centre’s intervention.

“The Centre should step into the situation now. It should give special attention towards the protection of North Indians living in Maharashtra,” Mayawati appealed.

Forgetting their differences, North Indian politicians were up in arms against Thackeray's nephew. Congress and BJP, who have stakes in Maharashtra, decided to play it safe. However, that's not quite the case with the Bihar Chief Minister. In the end all this shouting from the North may actually help further Raj's cause.