'Lalu can perform Chhat Puja in Maharashtra'

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will be allowed to perform Chhat Puja in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said on Monday.

"I will myself attend the Chhat Puja celebration," Deshmukh said, while replying to a query on the sidelines of a function organised by Marathi daily Dainik Ekmat.

Asked about Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's threat in his May 3 speech at Shivaji Park that he would not allow Lalu's Chhat Puja, Deshmukh said: "I will be there. It will be seen who has more strength."

Deshmukh's remarks are seen as a rebuff to the MNS chief who had said: 'Let Lalu come and perform the puja. We will see how it is done."