Will perform Chhath puja in front of Raj's house: Lalu

Wading into the Raj Thackeray-triggered spat over north Indian migrants in Maharashtra, railway minister Lalu Prasad on Thursday said he would perform the next Chhath Puja in front of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief's home in Mumbai.

"I am not afraid of anyone. I will show the might of the people from Bihar and UP by performing Chhath Puja in front of Raj Thackeray's house. If he has courage to face the secular forces in the country, he is free to try and face the consequences," Lalu said.

Expressing sympathy with families of those who have been attacked by MNS supporters at Mumbai, Pune and Nashik, the railway minister said that before his arrival here he had detailed discussions with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, home minister Shivraj Patil and other central leaders on the issue.

"Everyone is against the deeds of the Raj Thackeray's party leaders and the central government is keeping a close watch," the minister said.