Thackerays are originally Biharis: Lalu Prasad

Hitting back at Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, Udhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray for targeting Bihari migrants, RJD chief Lalu Prasad today said they were "infiltrators" in Maharashtra as their forefathers hailed from Bihar.

"The forefathers of Thackerays hailed from Bihar and migrated to Mumbai generations ago as has been corroborated by a book written by a late Thackeray family member," Prasad said.

"If the Bihari migrants are infiltrators in Mumbai as described by Sena leaders and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, then the Thackerays themselves are infiltrators," he said.

Thackerays should stop calling Bihari migrants as infiltrators as their Bihari ancestry has been proved or otherwise they should confront the prospect of being thrown out of Mumbai, he said.

A former Bihar Chief Minister and Union minister, Prasad said people must be free to visit, stay and work anywhere within the country, whether it be Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Bangalore. "This is a free, democratic country and restrictions cannot be put of peoples' movements," he said.

He said Biharis were hardworking and continue to make significant contribution in the development of Maharashtra. "Biharis in Maharashtra are not hurting its interest. They are not creating any trouble and they have full right to stay there," he said.

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh had quoted from a book written by MNS chief's grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray stating that their ancestors were natives of Magadh region of Bihar before shifting from one place to another and finally settling down in Maharashtra.

Raj Thackeray had debunked the Congress leader's remarks.

Lalu favours special package instead of special status

RJD chief Lalu Prasad today criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for demanding special category status to the state and said the government should instead seek a special package from the Centre.

"The state government should focus on seeking special financial assistance or package instead of special category status," he told reporters here after unveiling bust of former RJD MLA Devdutt Prasad Rai.

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