"Not worthy of carrying Thackeray surname": Nitesh Rane slams Aaditya Thackeray

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], June 4 (ANI): Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Development Minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday took a jibe at Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, advising him to change his surname to "Khan or Sheikh" since he was not worthy of the legacy of Bal Thackeray, firebrand leader and founder of Shiv Sena, advocate of a strong pro-Hindu policy in India.
"Aaditya Thackeray should change his surname and adopt 'Aaditya Khan' or 'Aaditya Sheikh', after which such statements would suit him better. If Balasaheb's grandson speaks like this, he's not worthy of carrying the Thackeray surname," Rane told reporters here.
Speaking about the possible alliance of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Rane said that it was a "good thing" if the Thackeray family was coming together and there was no need to "feel bad".
"What the two brothers (Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray) decide to do is their family matter. Whether they come together or not, if a family unites and their disputes are resolved, it's a good thing. There's no reason for us to take notice of it or feel bad. If the Thackeray family is coming together, it's a good thing," he said.
"However, those who once broke apart the Thackeray family are now talking about unity. Back then, many people were playing the role of Shakuni Mama (a manipulative uncle figure). Now, those same people are lecturing that the two brothers should come together," the minister added.
Rane's remarks against Thackeray come after the latter said the government should not interfere in festivals. He added that the government should focus on farmers' suicides and flooding due to heavy rainfall instead.
"Why should calls be made to save this or save that in every festival? Celebrate festivals. It is always save water, save colour, save this and save that. Let people breathe. It is not the job of the government. The government's job is to see that if farmers are dying by suicide, go and support them. If houses are flooded in rain, go and check why it happened. The government's job is to search for the four Pakistani terrorists who came here. It is not their job to interfere with festivals," Thackeray said. (ANI)