Former union minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also criticised Thackeray's statements, saying that the MNS chief “has a habit of speaking in this manner”.
Janata Dal-United leader Ali Anwar said Thackeray's statement was appalling and “he has gone mad”. He challenged Thackeray to make such statements outside Mumbai or Maharashtra and then watch the consequences.
Congress spokesperson Rashid Dali condemned the statement in New Delhi saying that it was “unfortunate and served to weaken the country and its democracy”.
In Maharashtra, the Congress hit back by terming Thackeray's statements as “irresponsible and deplorable”.
