Loudspeaker Row: Sena'sRaut Slams Raj Thackeray

Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut again slammed MNS (Maharashtra NavnirmanSena) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday amid the unabated political drama over loudspeakers at religious places, which started with the MNS leader's comment a couple of weeks ago.

"Politics is being done everywhere about loudspeakers, and some old videos of Balasaheb's views on loudspeakers in mosques are also being shared. Why was this question never raised in 50 years when VilasraoDeshmukh, PrithvirajChavan, and DevendraFadnavis were CMs?" Raut asked on Thursday.

"He (Raj Thackeray) had no problem with loudspeakers during that time, but he has this issue now because his brother (Uddhav Thackeray) is the CM of Maharashtra," the 60-year-old leader further said.

MNS chief was in the spotlight again this week after a case was filed against his rally on Sunday in Aurangabad, as well as a May 3 deadline given to his party workers over loudspeakers at mosques and the sharing of an old video of Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

Later, he made a controversial appeal in an open letter after the police action. "I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, May 4, if you hear the loudspeaker blaring with azaan; in those places, play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. That's when they will realize the hindrance of these loudspeakers."

PriyankaChaturvedi was among those who targeted Raj Thackeray for invoking the Sena founder amid the controversy.