Thackeray flays golden throne for Sai Baba

"What kind of devotion is this? This amount can be used to help people affected by calamities like recent floods, farmers' suicides and serial blasts," Thackeray said in Sunday's issue of party mouthpiece Saamna.

The Trust chief Jayant Sasane had recently announced that a golden throne would soon replace the silver throne, currently the seat of the idol of the saint.

"This (the proposal) is sheer madness. Can this money not be used to help families of Jawans who sacrifice their lives for the country," he said. "Leave this madness and extend a helping hand to the needy," he added.