MNS workers burn effigy of BJP MLA in Mumbai after Raj Thackeray raises Marathi issue again

MNS on Thursday burnt an effigy of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Yogesh Sagar in front of his office at SV Road, near Kandivali station in Mumbai.

On the 10th anniversary of MNS, the party supremo Raj Thackeray whipped up the Marathi sentiment, threatening to set fire to autos which have recently been given permits by the BJP-led government. “If you see any new auto on the road, get the passenger and the driver out and burn the vehicle down,” Raj Thackeray said. He also ratified violence by party members.

Thackeray took a dig at the Shiv Sena saying that the party only made fake promises of fighting for the Marathi cause and was hand-in-glove with the BJP government.

A day later, MNS workers burnt an effigy of BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar on Thursday evening around 6 pm.

WATCH: Alleged MNS workers attack BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar's office in Mumbai (source: unverified)https://t.co/6Gkn6AHVmT

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“This is the culture of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. I don’t know the reason behind burning my effigy but it may be because of the recent auto permit issue. I have not yet filed any complaint with the police because this happens before every election,” said MLA Yogesh Sagar.

"MLA Yogesh Sagar said that Raj Thackeray should himself come forward to burn an auto instead of instructing his party workers to do so. Hence, we burned an effigy in front of his office," said Dinesh Salvi, MNS party head of Charkop constituency. MNS members had pelted stones at an English hoarding of a tutorial class in Charkop, Kandivali West, on March 2.

The Mumbai civic polls are slated to be held next year.