Ralegan Siddhi, Oct 7: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today gave a firm response to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's criticism reminding him that three Shiv Sena ministers were "sent home packing" after he sat on fast.
Hazare said, "I respect him because of his age. Because of old age, he is saying whatever suits him. Earlier too, he (Bal Thackeray) withdrew his statements against me thrice. I don't have any personal issue with him. "
On Thursday at the Dussehra Shivaji Park rally, Bal Thackeray had said Anna's fast looked like a "five-star" event.
"It was a five-star fast...Do not make a mockery of (issue of) corruption," Thackeray had said.
"Anna, you are trying honestly to fight corruption, but the corruption would not go away this way..." Thackeray had said at the rally.
He referred to the huge arrangements at the fast venue, Ramlila Ground in Delhi, including the arrangement for "meals for 35,000 people".
In Mumbai, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today warned Anna Hazare not to indulge in ‘enmity', after the Gandhian, responding to the Sena chief's remarks yesterday, alluded to Thackeray's old age.
You are younger to me. This childishness does not behove you,” Thackeray said, after the anti-corruption crusader riled him over his remarks at the Sena's annual Dussehra rally here yesterday.
During his speech, Thackeray (85) had termed Hazare's anti-corruption movement a ‘joke.' “Anna, corruption will not end in this country. Big fish are involved in this. Your net will get torn, but these fish will not be caught,” he said.
Responding to the Sena chief's remarks, Hazare (74) had alluded to Thackeray's age.
In a statement issued here today, Thackeray said, “we can give a befitting reply to what Anna has said, because we are not Gandhian. Because you mentioned my rising age, let me tell you that you are younger to me and this childishness does not behove you.”
“Don't unnecessarily have enmity with us,” Thackeray warned Hazare. PTI
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