Thackeray flays Pawar over sea-link naming issue

MUMBAI: Attacking NCP leader Sharad Pawar for suggesting that the Bandra-Worli sealink be named after Rajiv Gandhi, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Thursday said it was probably done to make a "homecoming" to the Congress.

"Despite the humiliating defeat suffered by NCP, Pawar and his rich agent Praful Patel got to retain their portfolios and he has returned the favour by suggesting Rajiv's name to the sealink," Thackeray said in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana.

Pawar has used sealink naming to appease Sonia Gandhi and he probably will make a "homecoming" via the sealink, Thackeray said, indicating that NCP may merge with Congress.

"People of the country are wondering if India is the heirloom of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty," the 82-year old Thackeray said.

Ridiculing Pawar's logic that Rajiv was born in Mumbai so it is apt to name sealink after him, Thackeray said several Bangladeshis are born in Mumbai every day and would Pawar name his estate after them. "Will Pawar name his Katewadi village or Baramati after Rajiv Gandhi," he asked.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Congressman have brought "shame" to Maharashtra by supporting the decision to name sealink after Rajiv, Thackeray said.