Updated on Monday, November 24, 2008, 00:00 IST

Mumbai, Nov 24: Holding Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav responsible for sidelining Maharashtrians in railway jobs, Shiv Sena on Monday said this was happening because he has a "serpent's grip" on the Railways.

"Lalu says I belong to Maharashtra and Maharashtra belongs to me. His policy is -- whatever is mine is mine and whatever belongs to others is also mine," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said today.

The editorial said Prasad has a "serpent's grip" on railways preventing Marathis to get a job in the recent times.

"Right from the Sena's inception, we have been saying that the Marathi 'manoos' should capture all fields, using intellect or strength. We even went to the extent of saying that goons and those operating illicit liquor dens should also be Marathi," it said.

"Intermittently, Lalu gets this fit of national integration as in the latest case when he says he belongs to Maharashtra and Maharashtra belongs to him. He now has got a chance to prove that he belongs to Maharashtra. He should allow the 'Shiv vada pav' stalls promoted by the Sena to be set up at railway stations," it said.

"Lalu would have to provide Marathi youth only space needed for a table to set up these stalls which would help 5,000 youth to get employment," Saamana said.

"Also, vada from Maharashtra and someone from outside Maharashtra cooking it won't do. Give similar stalls for 'dhokla' in Gujarat and 'idli-sambar' in South India to locals there," it said.

If Lalu wants to taste our vada pav, he is welcome to visit the 'Shiv vada pav' sammelan organised by Sena at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, the editorial added.

Bureau Report