Should have released blueprint for city earlier, says MNS leader

The architect of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) much-touted development blueprint and senior party leader Anil Shidore said the party made a mistake by releasing the document too close to the polls.

The architect of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) much-touted development blueprint and senior party leader Anil Shidore said the party made a mistake by releasing the document too close to the polls.

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Shidore, who brought a team of young professionals, academicians and planners together, said, “Ideally, we should have released it a year ago or at least in August this year.” A few last minute additions forced the party to hold it back, he added.

The Pune-based leader also said the party will, despite the poll debacle, stick to the development-oriented document and not return to its controversial brand of politics.

“We will continue to reach out to people with the document. Although there will be some agitations, it won’t be in the same militant tone as before,” Shidore said, when asked if the party will resort to violence to regain its popularity. Instead, he added, the party will continue to publicise the blueprint for the next five years.

The MNS, in an attempt to reinvent its image in the public realm, finally released its blueprint for the development of the state on September 25, after an eight year-long wait. However, many had criticised the timing of its release just before the polls because party workers were left with very little time to publicise it. Party chief Raj Thackeray, however, said the timing was perfect.

Shidore said the party will now actively start publicising the blueprint. “We are now in the process of appointing advisory groups in the civic bodies where we have a significant presence. These groups will help us translate our vision into reality,” said Shidore.