Raj Thackeray blasts ‘serial striker’ Sharad Rao

Riding on the general wave of discontent against auto and taxi unions, thanks to their leader Sharad Rao, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday announced that his party would step in to counter the inconvenience caused to commuters due to their “arrogant” behaviour.

“The arrogance of these people has gone beyond common Mumbaikar’s patience. They loot citizens with their tampered meters, deny short distance fare and above all threaten Mumbaikars with strike. The people of Mumbai will not tolerate this and from Wednesday the people will vent out their anger in any possible manner,” warned Thackeray.

Singling out Sharad Rao, Thackeray alleged that he has been holding Mumbai to ransom every other day by calling a strike.

“Someday there’s a strike in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or someday the buses are on strike. If you [Sharad Rao] keep on doing this, it will be difficult for you to even come out of your house,” said Thackeray.

He has demanded the installation of electronic meters in autos.

“What I am saying right now is written in the rule book. I am telling them (drivers) to follow the rules. Those who are not ready to follow the rules, they will learn a lesson, through my activists from Wednesday,” he said.

Blasting Rao over cases of auto, taxi rivers assaulting commuters, Raj said, “I want to tell Rao that Maharashtra government does not have enough personnel to provide security to auto, taxi drivers tomorrow if people come on to streets.”