Raj vs Athavale: The word war hots up

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Republic Party of India leader Ramdas Athavale have been engaged in a mudslinging exercise after the former publicly questioned the latter's acquisition of property in Bandra.

Thackeray's remark has resulted in earning him the Dalit leader's ire.

"I have all the papers in order and will make them public if the need arises. But will Raj say where he got the money for the Kohinoor Mill deal?" thundered Athavale.

The MNS chief had purchased the Kohinoor Mills land at Rs 421 crore in partnership with Rajan Shirodkar and Manohar Joshi's Kohinoor Group in 2005.

Athavale also posed a question to Raj on whereabouts of the Rs 25-30 crore from the coffers of Shiv Udyog Sena when he was still in the Shiv Sena and led the trade union wing of the party.

The Shiv Udyog Sena had hosted the Michael Jackson event in city in 1996, which had allegedly resulted in collection of several crore of rupees. Without divulging details, Athavale even accused Raj of lording over a farm house.

The stand-off between Raj and Athavale surfaced after the Dalit leader inked a pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party for the civic elections in Mumbai.

Raj has also raised his objection to Dadar railway station being renamed as Chaityabhoomi.

The police apprehended a few people near Raj's residence near Shivaji Park on Thursday afternoon. Though police officials refused to comment, MNS party functionary Nitin Sardesai confirmed the incident.

A party worker alleged that the men had RPI connections, and were on their way to create disturbance.