Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackerays estranged nephew Raj Thackeray on Wednesday rushed to his uncles defence,lambasting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for criticising the Sena patriarch. It is not appropriate for Pawar to criticise Balasaheb considering his age, Raj said. Whatever Ajit Pawar is saying by targeting Balasaheb is an attempt by the Pawars to divert attention from issues such as the cooperative bank scam and their links with Balwa, Raj said. The MNS chief was responding to criticism by senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar that Thackeray had not contributed much to the society. In a rally at Ahmednagar,Pawar had reportedly also alleged that the Sena chief had emotionally exploited the name of Maratha king Shivaji. 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 the Dadar Railway Station as Chaitya Bhoomi.
