Shiv Sena warns of bigger movement in Maharashtra

Trying to score over the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday warned of a "bigger movement" in Maharashtra if the government does not give preference to the locals in railway jobs.

On a day when MNS chief Raj Thackeray was arrested in Mumbai, senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi said in the Rajya Sabha that the people in Maharashtra would not "tolerate" outsiders coming to the state.

"Outsiders will come (to Maharashtra). This will not go on," Joshi said sparking protests from Left and Rashtriya Janata Dal members.

"A bigger movement will be launched against the government," the former Lok Sabha speaker said demanding that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should give attention to the issue of the Maharashtrians being "denied" jobs in the Railways.

Joshi, who wanted more time to speak, was not allowed to continue by P J Kurien, who was in the chair. When the chair denied permission for laying his speech on the table, Joshi said, "You cannot crush the voice of Shiv Sena."

When Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav denied the charge that locals in the state were not being considered for jobs, Joshi said, "Your people (from Bihar) come to our state and grab jobs of our people, why will they not get angry."

He said instead of getting agitated, the political leaders from Bihar should ensure progress of their own state.