Union minister Ramdas Athawale said the RPI-A headed by him doesn't support MNS chief Raj Thackeray's demand for the removal of loudspeakers from mosques.

Speaking to media persons, Athawale, whose party is a constituent of the NDA, also claimed that even the BJP does not support Raj Thackeray's stand on the issue. "If they (MNS) want to use loudspeakers they can do so but we oppose the demand to remove loudspeakers from mosques. Even, Balasaheb Thackeray (Shiv Sena founder) was opposed to such demand. I feel a rift should not be created between religions," he said.