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Thackeray on Hazare: I don't believe in stunts

In a sarcastic attack on Anna Hazare and his team, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Monday asked the social activist not to take any credit for "the anti-Congress sentiments" in the country created by rising prices.

Referring to Hazare's recent statement that he will launch an anti-Congress campaign in the five poll bound states if the Lokpal Bill is not passed in Parliament's winter session, he said, "Rising prices have shaken the Congress-led government. Coalition partners Trinamool Congress and DMK are restless and if they withdraw their support to topple the United Progressive Alliance, Team Anna will try to take credit for the same."

'Hazare's ways are unique'

Thackeray said, "Taking credit for the Hisar by-poll result too was hypocrisy on part of Team Anna as the Congress had lost the seat in the earlier election in the constituency."

In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray said, "How can one describe his greatness? His ways are unique. He undertakes fast and also observes maun vrat for soul searching. At times he praises Narendra Modi and also hails Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi".

'Not opposed to Hazare's anti-corruption movement'

"Anna is a patriot and he has driven a truck on the battlefield and, therefore, all citizens should respect him. But this same Anna Maharaj has retained Prashant Bhushan in his core committee even after he made an anti-national statement on the Kashmir issue."

The Shiv Sena chief said, "Kejriwal, Bedi, Sisodia are facing allegations of financial irregularities. The Bhushan son-and-father duo has taken an anti-national posture on Kashmir and still they are all dear to Anna".

"I am not opposed to Hazare's anti-corruption movement but I do not believe in stunts and hypocritical postures," he said.