Raj, Bal Thackeray are hand in glove, say Congress-NCP

Congress and NCP on Tuesday hit out at MNS chief Raj Thackeray for supporting Shiv Sena-BJP in the mayoral election of neighbouring Thane Municipal Corporation.

Nobody has a clear majority in TMC, following last month's election. The Sena-BJP emerged as the largest bloc, winning 61 seats in the 130-member body, but is short of a simple majority (66), while MNS has seven seats.

State Congress president Manikrao Thakre and his NCP counterpart Madhukar Pichad said here that the two supposedly estranged Thackeray cousins -- Shiv Sena executive chief Uddhav Thackeray, and Raj -- were really hand in glove.

"They have been misleading voters and people have seen through their game," the two leaders said.

Pichad said Raj had supported Shiv Sena in Badlapur, Kalyan-Dombivali and now Thane. "They will be together for Nashik mayoral poll as well," he said.

When asked about the arrest of Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, Thakre said Congress had already taken action against him after the Adarsh scam broke.

"The matter is sub judice and party has nothing to say more. We will not interfere in the inquiry," he added.