THANE: Describing him as a child in politics, Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Friday advised Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackery to behave like a mature person if he wanted to be a national leader.
The suggestion was made by Mr Yadav while proceeding to Dombivli town in the district to address a Rotarians meet there.
Calling him as a child in politics, Mr Yadav said Raj would not grow if he keeps shouting slogans 'Jai Maharasthra'.
''Will you say 'Jai Delhi' if you go to Delhi,'' he quipped, adding, ''you are required to say 'Jai Bharat'.
''How can he be a big leader if he localises himself?'' he questioned.
He said Raj was splitting the state by stating 'Jai Maharashtra'.
Earlier, a group of about 25 MNS activists, who staged a black flag demonstration protesting against the Minister, were arrested by the police after resorting to a mild lathi charge to disperse the irate mob.
Later, in his address to the Rotarians, Mr Yadav said when the entire world is for globalisation, India cannot afford to be after localisation. ''We have have to keep pace with the time, if at all we have to develop.''
''Inquilab zindabad kahanese roti nahi milegi,'' he said, adding, the country has to go in for the latest technology for its survival.
He also took stock of the developmental projects undertaken by the railways in his address.