MUMBAI: : Responding to the Shiv Sena’s allegations that its “son of the soil” agitation was supported by elements of the ruling party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said on Sunday that the Sena was making such charges as it was “jittery” about the MNS taking over its plank. Speaking with a few journalists in Borivali on Sunday, Raj also said that he was still in touch with Sena chief Bal Thackeray, and that the latter telephoned him often and discussed issues other than politics.

Asserting that he had raised the issue of Marathi even when he was in the Sena and was not doing so now because of an eye on the elections, Raj said: “Those who are jittery will see this but similar allegations were made even when Sena chief Bal Thackeray had set up the Shiv Sena. However, after sometime, people will understand the truth.”

Questioning charges that the Government was helping him, Raj said a number of MNS activists were served externment notices. “Do you call this help from the Government?”.

Raj also reiterated his opposition to Union Agriculture Minister and NCP president Sharad Pawar, criticising him for statements about Bihari labourers working in cattle sheds at Baramati.

Maharashtra farmers and youths were engaged in collecting lakhs of litres of milk daily, he said, and denied that Marathi youth were not willing to do menial work. “Perhaps Biharis have been employed in his cattle shed for the votes,” Raj said, attacking Pawar.