Patience pays in politics: Raj Thackeray

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, who is known for aggressive politics and courts controversy, on Monday said that one has to be patient in politics and one should not unnecessarily invite trouble.

He was speaking to media persons at his residence in the city after senior Congress leader Narayan Rane, who was once in the Shiv Sena, suffered a serious setback in municipal council elections in his home district of Sawantwadi.  

Thackeray recalled that he had once told Rane that he should talk less, and added, “He unnecessarily makes enemies, and the recent political loss is the result of such political enmity. One has to have patience in politics.”

He claimed that the number of successful MNS candidates in the recent municipal council elections had increased, and expressed confidence that his party would also make gains in the upcoming elections to municipal corporations in the state.

Stating that there are many political activists who are interested in joining the MNS on the eve of elections, he said he was very cautious in giving admission to those interested.

A prominent Shiv Sena activist, Ganesh Satpute, on Monday joined the MNS in the presence of Thackeray. Satpute had earlier joined the MNS but returned to the Sena.

On the possible impact of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare’s movement on politics, he did not react. Instead Thackeray stood up and folded hands to indicate that the interaction was over.