Thursday, May 26 2005 16:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today (May 26, 2005) came down heavily on the Union Government downplaying the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the country.

"Bangladeshi Muslims should not be hurt. You people should remain hungry and provide your food to them," Thackeray said sarcastically while reacting to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's statement on the issue made in Mumbai.

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, which has "too many tongues", should have a clear policy on the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, the Sena supremo said after releasing the book "Flames of Freedom", authored by Pramod Mande and published by Vande Mataram Foundation.

"They (UPA) don't have policy for anything," he said and remarked "One should learn from the Union Home Minister to how to express their love."

Patil, after attending the western zonal council meeting of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa on Tuesday (May 24, 2005) had said that the issue (of Bangladeshi immigrants) should not be raised so much so that it spoils relations with the neighbour.

On Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh turning 60 today (May 26, 2005) Thackeray said, "My blessings are with him. However, Deshmukh does not have a free hand to take decisions."

"The Chief Minister took some bold decisions but had to withdraw them under pressure from the remote control operating from Delhi," Thackeray added.