MNS withdraws threat to Nitish over Mumbai visit

In a sudden climbdown after threatening to disrupt Bihar’s centenary celebration here on Sunday, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has withdrawn its threat. And instead, it has decided not to protest against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s visit for the celebrations of Bihar Divas. “I spoke to Nitish Kumar on the phone, and the matter is settled,” MNS chief Raj Thackeray said.

On his part, Nitish Kumar also invited the MNS chief to visit Bihar. Meanwhile, the Congress-led government in Maharashtra had swung into action after Raj issued a warning yesterday. After reviewing the situation, the authorities decided to deploy additional forces to prevent any untoward incident.

Nitish had earlier hit back at the MNS chief for warning him not to come to Mumbai to celebrate Bihar Divas, saying it is not a political event and that it does not pose any threat to the people Maharashtra.

“No one can stop me in going to Mumbai. I can go anywhere," Kumar said when asked for his comments on the threat by the MNS chief to block the celebrations.