Raj Thackeray questioned Vivek Oberoi and R. Madhavan for living in Dubai despite praising PM Narendra Modi's development agenda. Speaking at an MNS student wing rally, he linked migration, youth unrest, unemployment and education issues to growing frustration.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday questioned actors Vivek Oberoi and R. Madhavan for residing in Dubai despite publicly praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led government's development agenda.

Speaking at a rally marking the 20th anniversary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS), the student wing of the MNS, Thackeray said the migration of students, entrepreneurs and professionals reflected growing dissatisfaction over opportunities in India.

Referring to figures he claimed were presented in Parliament, Thackeray said expenditure by Indian families on overseas education had increased sharply. "Today, around ₹5.85 lakh crore is being spent as our children go abroad for education. That money is leaving the country," he said. He also alleged that "thousands of industrialists" had shifted abroad before taking aim at Vivek Oberoi and R. Madhavan.

"Vivek Oberoi, who played Narendra Modi in the film on his life, now lives in Dubai. R. Madhavan, who keeps praising Modi and says the country has changed, has also settled in Dubai. If you love India so much, if you believe Prime Minister Modi has transformed the country, then why are you living abroad? Why are you staying in Dubai with your families?" Thackeray said.