Prakash Mahajan joins Raj Thackeray's party

MUMBAI: Prakash Mahajan, younger brother of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, was on Thursday appointed chief organiser of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the party floated by former Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray, and said "the world knows how BJP treats its workers.”

BJP, however, said it was not taken by surprise as it was aware that such a development was in the offing.

“We knew that he had associated himself with Raj Thackeray for the last six months," BJP spokesperson Prakash Jawdekar said.

Asked if the way BJP reacted to Rahul Mahajan drug abuse episode was a reason for his aligning with Raj, Prakash said the two developments were not related.

“I have nothing to say about BJP. The world has seen how that party treats its workers," he said.

He criticised BJP leader Sushma Swaraj for her comments that the Rahul episode was a 'family matter'. “She (Swaraj) is indulging in bayanbazi (making statements). She did not even have the courtsey to visit Rahul in hospital", Prakash said.

Media had misinterpreted former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's remarks on the Rahul episode where he was quoted as saying jawani mein galtiyan hoti hai (mistakes are made in young age), Prakash said.

Asked what made him align with Raj, Prakash said: “There is a tradition in Maharashtra of a Mahajan being there with the Thackeray family, so I am with Raj Thackeray.”

He was alluding to the close bond shared by late Pramod Mahajan and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.