Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray doesn't seem to have liking for North, even if it means politics there.
A few months after his party suffered a severe setback in the parliamentary election held in April-May this year, Thackeray has said MNS will not contest the next Lok Sabha poll, citing the reason that he wants to expand the party's base in the state first.
What did Raj say, about polls and MNS's performance?
Speaking to journalists on the last day of campaigning for October 15 state assembly polls, Thackeray said he did not contest parliamentary polls with "conviction", but his party is taking the assembly polls seriously. "The Lok Sabha election was a differently-contested poll. Like the US presidential polls, it was fought between two leaders Modi and Rahul Gandhi. People voted for Modi. My partymen too may have had voted for Modi. But we had not contested the polls with conviction," he added on his party's dismal performance in the election. The MNS chief, however, said his party is up for revival.
What about him contesting and alliances?
When asked about his flip flop over him contesting the assembly polls, Thackeray hinted he would lead his party if MNS gains majority in the assembly election. He was, however, cautious when asked about post-poll alliances, seeking to wait for the outcome of the polls.
The call that may or may not have happened
According to media reports, Thackeray had called his estranged cousin Uddhav (Shiv Sena president) to figure out possible tie-up between the two parties after the saffron outfit snapped its long-time alliance with BJP. But there was no response from Uddhav. Later, Thackeray's nephew and chief of Shiv Sena's youth wing Aditya had denied having received any such call from Thackeray.
"I swear by God. Whatever I stated earlier is true," the leader exhorted.
Raj on Modi
The MNS president also expressed concerns over Modi spending substantial time campaigning for BJP in Maharashtra and Haryana at a time when tension has arisen on India-Pakistan border. "In view of the mess that has been created across the country, Modi is the last hope for the public. But he is still focusing on Gujarat than the entire country. Also, when tensions are escalating at the border, he is busy campaigning for the assembly polls in the two states. So, we are wondering, are these the 'achche din' (good days) he had promised before assembly polls," said Thackeray.
Raj on Guj CM
On Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel trying to woo industrialists from Mumbai to set up projects in Gujarat by allegedly demeaning Maharashtra, Thackeray said, "The Gujarat CM is confidant of Modi. So, it is not clear to us if Modi too feels what Anandiben has said."
Why should Belgaum remain in K'taka, according to him?
"We have enough problems on hand in Maharashtra. If you incorporate Belgaum too, the residents there too may face problems. So, let Belgaum be part of Karnataka," he said, adding that he did not find anything wrong in the Karnataka government planning to rename Belgaum. A majority of Belgaum residents are Marathi-speaking people who are demanding that the region be incorporated in Maharashtra.
Joining hands with NCP?
Thackeray claimed his party took unconditional support from NCP to retain power in Nashik Municipal Corporation. "We have not offered them any post within the civic body. So, there is no harm in taking support if I have to do public work," he claimed.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}