Why Maharashtra government won't ban Raj Thackeray's speeches altogether

The state Home department is contemplating whether to serve yet another notice to Raj Thackeray, after Friday's inflammatory speech against north Indians.u00a0He warned to send back the Biharis from the state, referring to them as trespassers while addressing his party office bearers at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi.

However, according to sources, the Home department is refraining from imposing a complete ban on Thackeray for delivering speeches, fearing the leader may derive political mileage out of it. Thackeray in his speech had warned of strict action against Biharis for any attempt by the Bihar government to take action against , the Maharashtra police.

Thackeray's outburst comes after the Bihar chief secretary sent a letter on Friday expressing displeasure over the Maharashtra Police's action against the Amar Jawan memorial accused without formally informing the Bihar police. Ironically, sources from the home department said that the letter did not speak of initiating any action against the Maharashtra Police.

According to a senior state official, the Maharashtra Police erred by not informing the Bihar state police about its action. The concerned policemen may also get a reprimand for it. Meanwhile, when asked for his comment on allegations by Shivanand Tiwari, the Senior leader of Janata Dal (United), that the state was shielding Raj Thackeray, Home Minister R R Patil said, "How can the Home department or the police take such a stand when the MNS chief was demanding my resignation?"u00a0