Amid raging controversy over Raj Thackeray's controversial comments against non-Maharashtrians, Samajwadi Party on Monday approached the Election Commission to demand de-registration of his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena arguing that it had no allegiance to Indian Constitution.
SP general secretary Amar Singh petitioned the EC that action be taken against the MNS and its leaders as Thackeray has been issuing 'veiled as well as open threats' against non-Maharashtrians.
Raj Thackeray is 'exhorting his party cadre to perpetrate acts of violence against non-Maharashtrians' in the state, Singh said in his petition through his advocate Pradeep Rai.
Describing as 'reprehensible' Thackeray's 'conduct and inflammatory statements', the SP leader said the MNS chief had attempted to "sow the seeds of discord and rabid and intolerant communalism, thereby attempting to violate the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and as also attempting to violate the unity and integrity of India.'
Singh said 'the incendiary statements being made openly' by Thackeray and his party cadre 'tantamount to intimating the Election Commission and the people of India at large that the said party has ceased to have faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India or to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy.'
Later, Singh told PTI over phone from Mumbai that he would use all legal means to take on Thackeray.
"All activities of Raj Thackeray and his party cadres are communal and against the Constitution," he said, adding that these are documented in visual media.
Thackeray kicked up a row last week when he attacked north Indians and particularly Amitabh Bachchan. The remarks triggered violence in Maharashtra, involving workers of MNS and SP.
Singh said Thackeray and his party cadre have been 'openly mocking' at the Chhath pooja performed by people hailing from Bihar, which was an attempt to 'violate the unity and integrity of India.'
