MUMBAI: Defying court orders, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has openly accused the Maharastra government of indulging in "revenge politics" and said that its decision to withdraw his Z-plus security was "foolish".
In an interview to Marathi daily 'Loksatta', referring to the decision of the Congress-led Democratic Front (DF) government to withdraw the security following his arrest in a case relating to attack on north Indian job aspirants, Raj said, "The government's action was a foolish decision."
Claiming that his life is under threat, the MNS chief said, "It has been proved after the bus-shootout incident involving a boy from Patna. Even a criminal called Bunty Pandey has issued threats," he told the newspaper.
"In fact, I had never asked for police security. It was given to me in 1992 on grounds that I faced threats to my life. Now it has been withdrawn without giving any reasons," he said.
While granting him bail, a Mumbai court had ordered him not to give any interviews to the media and address rallies.
Police has also issued a gag order to the MNS chief preventing him from speaking to the media and making provocative speeches.
Raj also questioned whether the security arrangements were made based on threat perception or the cases registered against him.
"The decision on security is made by a high-level committee of the state government. Was the issue of withdrawal of my security on the agenda," Raj asked.
The MNS chief also alleged that in places like Malegaon his followers were mercilessly beaten up by the non-marathi police officers.
"Cases are being filed against them in large numbers. If the government feels that MNS will buckle under such pressure, it is living in a fool's paradise," he said.
Raj also described the Congress leaders like Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil as "spineless" whose political survival is at the mercy of "Delhi".
Raj said the government is working to hurt Marathi 'asmita' (pride) and Marathi speaking people.Instead of addressing issues concerning the Marathi people, the government is filing cases against me.
"However, I will not rest until I have achieved my goal of ensuring justice to the Marathi people. Governments keep changing but when our government comes to power, we will not behave in a revengeful manner like the way this government is doing. However, the Marathi people will never forgive the present government," he said.
Raj said all north Indian leaders have come together against Marathi people.
"But all the 48 MPs from Maharashtra are keeping quiet. In Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi threatens to withdraw support to the UPA on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils. But, nobody dare speak anything against DMK. When Karunanidhi rises to protect Tamil pride, the entire Tamil population are firmly behind him," he said.
"If Raj Thackeray speaks for Marathi people, some Marathis turn against him. UP and Delhi leaders take advantage of this disunity and hence the injustice meted out to them in jobs and all spheres," Raj added.
He also described Marathi people and the MNS workers as his 'kavach and kundal' and said that he would fight for the Marathi people till the last drop of his blood.
