Thackeray praises Nitish, slams MNS for flip-flop

Lauding the developmental work undertaken by Nitish Kumar in Bihar after he took over as chief minister, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Saturday took a dig at his estranged nephew Maharashta Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray for opposing Kumar's visit to Mumbai and then back-tracking.

"The role of the "natwarya" (veteran actor) to first oppose and then not to oppose has been exposed. The delicious 'vada' (a local snack) has become 'rabdi' (a sweet dish)," he said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

Vote-bank politics hinges on 'nautanki' (drama) and 'tamasha', he said, taking potshots at Raj for his flip-flop over Kumar's visit to Mumbai to take part in Bihar Day celebrations.

"That is why we said we will speak on Bihar Day only after others reveal their stand," the Sena chief said in an apparent reference to the MNS.

Praising Kumar for his work, the Sena patriarch said, "Due to the fabulous leadership Bihar has got in the form of Nitish Kumar, the state, a backward region engulfed in casteism, is on the road to development."

Speaking on the issue of Marathi pride, he said no one was more aggressive than Shiv Sena in opposing "atrocities" on Marathi-speakers in Belgaum by the Kannada people. "Shiv Sena's fist is firm and Mumbai will remain for Marathi-speakers," he said.