Raj foolish, Tiger roars for Big B

The Tiger has broken his silence with a loud roar: “Amitabh is Amitabh. He should completely ignore such foolish regional allegations.”

Four days after his nephew’s party launched an assault against north Indians, including Amitabh Bachchan, Bal Thackeray came out in open support of the actor.

The Shiv Sena chief, the prime mover of ‘Mumbai for Maharahstrians’ movement, issued a statement on Wednesday. He termed estranged nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s statements against the actor foolish and insisted he was firmly behind Bachchan.

In the Capital, consultations are on to see if Raj can be booked for his anti-north Indian comments.

The Congress high command said the Maharashtra government is likely to take action against him for his “provocative statements” and is talking to the Advocate General. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh arrived in Delhi this evening, apparently to discuss the situation with the party leadership.

“The Maharashtra government is discussing with the Advocate General and the legal team whether Raj Thackeray can be booked for the provocative statements he has made and under what section he can be prosecuted,” said AICC’s M. Veerappa Moily.

The Centre has also told the state to ensure that people are not intimidated or attacked. It has been asked to take necessary action against miscreants without delay and to provide protection to those who may need it or may be vulnerable, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said.

With PTI inputs