Balasaheb slammed - nephew Raj Thackeray jumps to his defense

"Whatever Ajit Pawar is saying by targeting Balasaheb Thackeray is an attempt by the Pawars` to divert attention from the issues like cooperative bank scam and their links with Balwa," Raj told reporters here this afternoon.

The MNS chief was responding to criticism by Ajit Pawar, senior NCP leader, that Thackeray hasn`t contributed much to the society.

"They are sore over the public support I am getting that is why they are playing such games," Raj said when asked about Ajit Pawar rubbishing his remarks opposing renaming Dadar Railway Station as Chaitya Bhoomi.

"It is not appropriate for Ajit Pawar to criticise Balasaheb considering his age," Raj said.

On RPI leader Ramdas Athawale suggesting that Raj should remove blue colour from his party`s flag due to his opposition to renaming Dadar Station as Chaitya Bhoomi, he said Athawale is acting like Shiv Sena spokesperson because he has got a four-storey house near the Sena Chief`s residence in suburban Bandra.

"I don`t know what is Athawale`s occupation and on what basis he has got this property," Raj said.