Congress using Raj Thackeray to counter BJP-Shiv Sena: Sharad Yadav

NEW DELHI: JD(U) President Sharad Yadav today alleged that MNS chief Raj Thackeray was a "stooge" of the Congress which was using him against the Shiv Sena-BJP combine for electoral gains in the state.

"Raj Thackeray is a stooge of the Congress and the ruling party in the state is using him against the Shiv Sena-BJP combine," Yadav told reporters when asked about the MNS' chief's remarks on the Hindi news channels.

Alleging that Hindi news channels were 'distorting' his statements, MNS chief Raj Thackeray today said they should not air news without understanding issues.

Yadav said the MNS chief was of "no importance" and was making such statements to provoke the Marathi population there and cut into the vote bank of Shiv Sena.

He said Raj Thackeray was trying to incite Hindi channels to address his own political agenda.

Speaking at a party meeting in Mumbai, Thackeray today said, "I want to tell the Hindi news channel to first understand the issue before it is broadcast...otherwise we know how to stop it,".

His statement came after some Hindi news channels and leaders of JD(U), RJD and BJP from Bihar attacked him for his remarks on Friday that he would brand Biharis as infiltrators and make them leave Maharashtra.