On the occasion of completing five years of his party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, party chief Raj Thackeray talks exclusively with DNA.
On the occasion of completing five years of his party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), party chief Raj Thackeray talks exclusively with DNA. This is what he feels about his party, in his own words....
“Time just flies, literally. I can’t imagine it has been five years since the party’s formation. I feel satisfied the way my party has functioned so far. The issues which I raised, my party has taken them to the conclusion, and I could show the results to the people.
"When I took up the agitations initially, I was cursed and was blamed for all the wrong reasons. But slowly, everyone around understood the real issue. The Marathi pride which had almost gone asleep was finally awakened. Those who used to degrade Marathi manoos, started either respecting or became scared of using such attitude.
"Few days ago, I read in one of the supplements of a newspaper, where few of the Hindi actors have expressed their opinion about the Marathi. I never went to them and told them to do so.
"I never approached Amir Khan and asked him to learn Marathi. This is the effect, my party has on people’s psyche. Mobile companies started using Marathi as the first language, the sign board on shops appeared in Marathi. Isn’t it my party’s achievement?
"I felt really happy, when Amir voluntarily decided to learn Marathi. He understood that, when you are in Mumbai you should be able to speak Marathi.
"It was my party who started celebrating ‘Marathi Bhasha Divas.’ When I took an initiative, then the rest followed. Whatever was chaotic, I just went there and restored the order. Nothing else!
I absolutely do not bother, whether there are 84 cases against me or 85, rather I am proud of it. My point is very clear.
"Why did Uttar Pradesh day was celebrated in Mumbai, when in reality there is no such day. Or in case of ‘Chhath Puja’, why do you have to put forward your hidden agenda through these festivals? When I brought out these subjects in light, then every party became aware of the voting power of Marathis.
"I am not eating in to anyone’s vote share. There is a huge population in Maharashtra which is disillusioned by Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena and BJP. They are voting for me. There are people who are voting for the first time, and they are my voters.
"The youth wants my party. I have told before and will tell this once again, people of Maharashtra should test me. They should give me the chance, so that I can show them what has to be done and how it should be done. People always ask about my blue-print for developmental works.
"People ask me about 2G scam or other national level scams. What can I do on it right now? I will give my reaction, nothing else. As far as my plans for future are concerned, my complete target in the coming year will be Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Amravati and Nagpur and nothing else.
"And as far as joining Sena-BJP alliance is concerned, I do not understand why am I being dragged in to their infighting? I do not want to get involved in their fight. They can’t work out their differences.
"The people have supported my party and have kept a faith on it. Even in future, do not lose this faith. I assure you that, this is just a beginning, there are so many things which are yet to happen.
And as far as joining Sena-BJP alliance is concerned, I do not understand why am I being dragged in to their infighting?"
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