Cong going 145;soft146; on Raj Thackeray: BJP

8220;The Congress should reply. Why it is not snapping its ties with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena,8221; he told reporters in New Delhi.

He claimed that the Congress and MNS were in alliance in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Amravati, Aurangabad and Mira-Bhainder corporations.

Without naming any party, he said the BJP opposed statements that 8216;outsiders8217; would not be allowed to work in Mumbai as it was against the spirit of the Constitution.

He, however, refused to comment specifically on ally Shiv Sena8217;s warning that it will not tolerate workers 8216;brought from outside8217; for modernisation of the Mumbai airport.

8220;The Constitution gives right to every citizen to travel, settle and take up jobs in any part of the country and we believe in that,8221; he said.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani yesterday criticised Shiv Sena and MNS, saying comments against north Indians were 8220;unacceptable8221; as such remarks were against the concept of national unity.

On the other hand, there is a question of giving prominence to the sons of the soil and the local language, he said, but did not elaborate.