Raj Thackeray announces launch of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

Mumbai, Mar 9: Estranged Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray today (Mar 9, 2006) announced the launch of ''Maharashtra Navnirman Sena'', a new political outfit.

While announcing the launch of the new party, Mr Thackeray descibed himself as its President.

All other aspects of the party would be announced during a public meeting to be held on March 19 at Shivaji Park, he said at a press conference today to announce the launch of the new outfit.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, he said, will have a tricoloured flag with blue, saffron and green colours.

Mr Thackeray refused to answer queries pertaining to the criticism levelled at him by Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, whom he had earlier described as his deity.

He, however, stressed that it had been a painful experience for him to ''desert his home'', meaning the Shiv Sena.

UNI