Defying court orders, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has openly accused the Maharastra government of indulging in ‘revenge politics’ and said that its decision to withdraw his Z-plus security was ‘foolish’.

In an interview to Marathi daily Loksatta, referring to the decision of the Congress-led Democratic Front (DF) government to withdraw the security following his arrest in a case relating to attack on north Indian job aspirants, Raj said, "The government's action was a foolish decision."

Claiming that his life is under threat, the MNS chief said, "It has been proved after the bus-shootout incident involving a boy from Patna. Even a criminal called Bunty Pandey has issued threats," he told the newspaper.

"In fact, I had never asked for police security. It was given to me in 1992 on grounds that I faced threats to my life. Now it has been withdrawn without giving any reasons," he said.

While granting him bail, a Mumbai court had ordered him not to give any interviews to the media and address rallies.

Police has also issued a gag order to the MNS chief preventing him from speaking to the media and making provocative speeches.

Raj also questioned whether the security arrangements were made based on threat perception or the cases registered against him.

"The decision on security is made by a high-level committee of the state government. Was the issue of withdrawal of my security on the agenda," Raj asked.

The MNS chief also alleged that in places like Malegaon his followers were mercilessly beaten up by the non-Marathi police officers.

... contd.