Shiv Sena on Friday described the raids conducted by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police on the premises of former city Congress chief Kripashankar Singh as "farcical" and alleged that Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre were protecting him.

"Singh was given time to move the Supreme Court so that he could bring stay on the action to be taken by the police. Chief Minister Chavan and Manikrao Thakre are mutually helping him," Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut said. He also alleged that various leaders from Maharashtra and Delhi are with Singh.

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Vinod Tawade said that the state government and Mumbai police should have immediately swung into action after the High Court order.

"The action was taken very late. He was given time to dispose off the evidences and move the Supreme Court.

Government is helping Kripashankar Singh," Tawade said.