On Tuesday night, 1000’s of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staff gathered at Dadar’s Shivaji Park to listen to their chief, Raj Thackeray, declare the social gathering’s political future. Little did they know there was extra confusion coming their means. These karyakartas have been introduced by the social gathering to town from surrounding areas. A few of them got here from villages like Peth in Nashik, in addition to from town. Then some got here from Bhiwandi, Dombivli, Kalyan, and Thane.
The gang within the entrance cheered as Thackeray took photographs on the media and the election fee, whereas the one within the again weren’t so impressed and patiently listened. There have been extra cheers as he declared loyalty to the late Bal Thackeray’s beliefs. Extra seriousness and calm enveloped as he criticised demonetisation.
“There are pressing issues on this nation like employment which want pressing consideration,” he stated, as the group stored their eyes on the screens displaying Thackeray communicate. At this level, there was one query on everybody’s thoughts: will MNS align with BJP’s Mahayuti? “In Maharashtra, there’s a lot confusion as individuals have no idea which politician has shifted to which social gathering,” he stated. Quickly, the query was answered. He declared assist to the Mahayuti “just for Narendra Modi”.
The gang at giant was surprised, shocked at the same time as some cheered and clapped. “I used to be anticipating this after listening to the information of the chance, however we’re nonetheless shocked. I’m certain this choice was taken for the nice of the social gathering,” stated Nana Mote, a 43-year-old social gathering employee from Sangli.
Hours earlier than Thackeray’s speech, mid-day spoke with social gathering cadres to know how they understand the query of the day. “There are at the very least 40 buses that have been introduced right here from Thane,” stated Santosh Patil, an MNS employee. He stated he has been with the social gathering since its inception. “I don’t suppose he’ll unite with Mahayuti, however even when he does, we’ll stand behind him,” Patil stated. By 7 pm, there have been people performances set on the stage in reward of Phule, Ambedkar, Shivaji, Bal Thackeray, and the struggles of the previous leaders to maintain Mumbai in Maharashtra (Samyukta Motion). The chairs within the again that have been empty had simply began filling earlier than the bottom was packed as soon as the MNS supremo took over the mic. Jaihind Chaudhary, one other social gathering employee from Bhiwandi, stated, “The social gathering has not been doing nicely, however leaders like him (Thackeray) in the end win with out having to compromise with different events. He doesn’t just like the politics of leaping from one social gathering to the opposite, and what is going to MNS obtain by becoming a member of BJP? We won’t be revered.”
‘It he shifts social gathering, we shift’
There have been social gathering cadres introduced in 35 to 40 buses from Peth, a taluka in Nashik, 50 km away from town. Every bus had 20 to 25 MNS staff. A number of who spoke to mid-day stated they’ve been MNS staff for the previous few years. “Ladies within the villages nonetheless stroll lengthy distances for water, and the youth nonetheless battle with unemployment,” stated Pundalik Kadali, a 26-year-old passenger driver who ferries from Peth to Nashik metropolis. The group stated their BJP MP Bharti Pawar has didn’t signify them adequately. “Most of us voted for BJP within the final election. That won’t be the case this time,” he stated. When requested if he would nonetheless stay with MNS if Thackeray aligns the social gathering with BJP, “If he shifts, we may also shift,” he stated. The plight of rural areas within the state was additionally highlighted within the speeches by MNS chief Dilip Bapu Dhotre who spoke earlier than Thackeray. “There have been so many problems with staff, ladies farmers, ASHA staff, Anganwadi staff, academics in the previous few years. All of them have approached MNS to unravel their points, and the social gathering has been there for them,” he stated.
The North Indians
The bottom was set for the social gathering recognized for its anti-North Indian stance by staff from Uttar Pradesh. “Even the chairs and the flags have been arrange by us. We do that for a lot of political events,” stated a labourer from UP. When requested if he’s conscious of the social gathering’s strategy in the direction of migrant staff, he stated, “Folks depart their residence and are available right here for abdomen, we might not have come right here if there have been different choices,”
he stated.
Tue
Day Raj made the announcement
