Raj under Maharashtra govt scanner after Pune rally

A day after Mahrashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray held a rally in Pune without obtaining the necessary permission, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on Monday warned of strict action. "Nobody must think that they are above the law and if anyone feels so, the state administration will take strict action against them as per law," Patil told media persons on the sidelines of a function in Mumbai. Asked if the government is inept at taking action against Raj, whose rallies were getting a big response, Patil replied: "We had arrested him last time and charged him with promoting enmity between people when we gathered proper evidence against him." Patil, who also holds the home portfolio, said the administration will take action against Raj after they receive a report from the Pune police. "I cannot comment if his speech was derogatory or not or if he had taken permission or not. Our action will depend on a report from the Pune police," Patil said. Twenty eight MNS activists were arrested for organising the rally in Pune defying the ban imposed to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Raj, who had led a violent anti-north Indian campaign in February, continued his tirade against them at the rally on Sunday, targetting students from the northern states, who come for higher education to Pune.