Shiv Sena dismisses Raj Thackeray's allegations on Bal Thackeray's memorial

Senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Subhash Desai on Thursday dismissed allegations levelled by MNS chief Raj Thackeray on his party contending that nobody pays attention to "such people." Desai, Minister for Industries, told reporters on sidelines of a function here, that if the Mayor's bungalow is being used for construction of a memorial for late Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray, then it should be welcomed.

"Unfortunately some people are trying to cross our path, but attention will not be paid to such people," he said. In a sarcastic jibe at Raj, Desai further said those who have a penchant to stoke a controversy are not able to do anything for people and thus use such tactics to gain people's attention. "The Sena believes in ignoring such people and carry out our work," he said.

Lashing out at Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, a former Sena MP, Desai said the Congress leader has no right to speak on Bal Thackeray. "What right does he (Nirupam) have to speak on Balasaheb Thackeray? We do not pay attention to such people," he said.

After Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision to build Bal Thackeray's memorial at the iconic heritage Mayor's bungalow at Shivaji Park in Dadar area, Raj had raised a objection to the governments decision. He had accused the Sena of trying to pocket the bungalow. Congress had also opposed the state government's decision.