Chhatrapati Shivaji incomparable, only 'janata raja': Bhosale

A day after the Shiv Sena questionned "silence" of descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji on the book comparing him with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leader and Maratha royal Udayanraje Bhosale on Tuesday said the warrior king was "incomparable".

He also launched a blistering attack on the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.

In the same breath, Bhosale said only Chhatrapati Shivaji can be called the 'Janata Raja' (enlightened king) and nobody else, a remark which is viewed as a swipe at NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

Taking to reporters while condemning the controversial book witten by a BJP leader, Bhosale dared the ruling Sena to remove the word 'Shiv' from its name, and rechristen the party as "Thackeray Sena".

"Remove the word 'Shiv' from Shiv Sena and rename it as 'Thackeray Sena'. I would like to see when you change the name, how many people stand behind you," he said.

Condemning the book--"Aaj ke Shivaji, Narendra Modi", written by Delhi BJP leader Jay Bhagwan Goyal, Bhosale demanded action against the author.

His comments came a day after Sena leader Sanjay Raut dubbed the book "insulting", and asked Chhatrapati Shivaji's descendants to clarify their stand and quit the BJP over the issue.

"Every time, it is said that ask descendants. When the Shiv Sena was christened, when the word 'Shiv' was used, did you come and ask the descendants?" Bhosale asked.

"I never gave any remuneration to the author to write that book. So those who are seeking my stand or clarification, I will show them their place," he said.

When asked whether he is going to speak to the BJP high command and seek action against the author, Bhosale said he would seek action.

"But I have come to know that Goyal has withdrawn the book...Forget about the book, even Goyal can be withdrawn", he said.

Without taking any name, Bhosale said some people are like dogs without a leash who are unnecessarily poking their nose in every issue.

"I do not want to take his name and make him big, rather he was never that big, but I feel sad over the blame game. I never misused Chhatrapati's legacy," he said.

Bhosale added that a dog roaming without a leash on road will be shown his place.

Further hitting out at Uddhav Thackeray's party, which is leading the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi alliance government, he asked, "Why the word 'Shiv' was removed from 'Maha Shiv Aghadi'?"