If imitations is the best form of flattery then Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray must be thrilled his estranged nephew Raj Thackeray wants to do a Bal on the state Of Maharashtra.The younger Thackeray‘s terror tactics of whipping up anti-migrant xenophobia against “outsiders” (read non-maharashtrians), this time against north Indians. Raj Thackeray wants to desperately believe such a strategic move will also lift his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) , from political wilderness to centrestage.And by making Bollywood’s superstar Big B the symbol of his fight against “disloyal” northerners, Thackeray has given it an explosive edge.

Raj Thackeray’s remarks have already led to several sporadic incidents of violence, perpetrated by his supporters against hapless Bihari and Uttar Pradesh migrants. This certainly does not bode well for Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, as insecurity among the smooth working of industry and commerce, not to say the galloping sensex. Migrants make up a large swathe of the working population especially in Mumbai, from low wages to taxi drivers and Bollywood stars.

The congress – led state government cannot sit back and watch this political tamasha play out. Whenever migrants are the targets of persecution and terror, the government must not waste a moment to act or it could spiral out of control.