Swamy takes a dig at MNS chief, says Raj Thackeray's roots are in north India

MUMBAI: Taking a dig at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS chief, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday alleged that Raj Thackeray's ancestral roots are in north India.

Swamy's statements came two days after a group of 15 MNS workers were attacked by at least 100 hawkers at Malad Railway Station. The party workers, armed with rods and sticks, were trying to evacuate the hawkers

The BJP leader reportedly referred to the autobiography of late Keshav Thackeray, grandfather of Raj Thackeray, while making the statement during a lecture in Dombivli.

MNS workers have been evacuating and attacking hawkers from railway stations as a part of drive against illegal vendors after last month's stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station that claimed 23 lives. 

Attacking Swamy's statement, MNS leader Rajesh Kadam – who also attended the lecture at Dombivli, said, "There was no need to dig up Thackeray's ancestral issue. We are opposing only illegal hawkers and not entire community of hawkers." 

"Raj Thackeray has objected the presence of illegal hawkers who create a nuisance at railway stations. Mumbai is already over-crowded, but no action is taken against illegal hawkers, which leads to mishaps like the Elphinstone Road," he added.