Political parties slam attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra

New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) Political parties of various hues
Monday strongly attacked the U.P.A. government over its
"failure" to curb violence against north Indians in
Maharashtra by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (M.N.S.) cadres.

R.J.D. chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party leader Amar
Singh, C.P.I.(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat and B.J.P.'s
Shahnawaz Hussain unequivocally condemned the U.P.A.
government as well as the Congress-led Maharashtra government,
for the attacks on north Indians.

Prasad, while strongly condemning attacks on north
Indians in Maharashtra, especially yesterday's incident of
M.N.S. activists beating up Railway Board examinees in Mumbai,
said, "It is the failure of the state government that it has
not been able to curb attacks on north Indians there. I
strongly condemn the violence and 'awaragardi' (hooliganism)
by M.N.S. cadres against north Indians and students in the
state".

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, he said he will
raise the issue when Lok Sabha meets again later in the day.

Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh also joined
the Opposition parties in criticising the attacks.

Singh said yesterday's incident "was the most deplorable
act by M.N.S. activists". He said the Chief Minister and
Deputy Chief Minister of the state have proved to be "useless"
in preventing attacks on north Indians.

On a sarcastic note, Singh expressed his gratitude to
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray for criticising him on his
opposition to incidents of violence against north Indians.

"I am honoured that a veteran leader like Bal Thackeray
chose to criticise me. This shows that he finds SP a challenge
in Maharashtra," the SP leader said.PTI ASI
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