Raj Thackeray comes down heavily on opponents

In his characteristic vitriolic attack, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday pooh-poohed the visible political differences between BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP.

In his characteristic vitriolic attack, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday pooh-poohed the visible political differences between Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

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“They are all hand in glove. While it appears that these parties are at war, behind the facade they are one. Most politicians of these parties are business partners,” he said.

For the first time after his May rally, Raj reiterated his chief ministerial ambitions. “I have all the schemes ready in my head. I’ll lead the state if the people give us the mandate and show you that I can do everything you need,” he said.

Kicking off his party’s election campaign from Vidarbha, Raj addressed a series of public meetings in Amravati district. The four parties were the prime target of his verbal lashing. He said, “They have ruined the state, leaving you to commit suicide. Don’t let your life go waste. If at all you wish to commit suicide, do so after ensuring the end of these four parties in the ensuing polls.”

About former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and ex-deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, he said that while the former was indecisive, the latter was irresponsible as he humiliated farmers and drought-affected people.

Attacking the BJP and Shiv Sena, the firebrand leader said the Congress-NCP could have ruled the state for 15 years as the opposition was weak.

Raj called upon the people not to fall prey to their glib talk. “They are Gabbar Singh, while you have been reduced to Basanti’s horse (drawing an analogy from the Hindi film, Sholay),” he quipped.