Raj outlines his vision for developed Maharashtra

Mumbai, Mar 19 (UNI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray today outlined his vision and commitment to transform Maharashtra into a developed state.

Addressing the first public meeting of his party at the very spot where his uncle Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray addressed huge rallies, Mr Thackeray told a mammoth rally that he was preparing to take on other parties in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, which are due next year and other elections.

The 38-year-old leader, who quit Shiv Sena four months ago, however, was very critical of ruling Congress-led government. He said the ruling party has hardly done anything for the farmers and to give the basic amenities to the rural areas.

''I want the farmers to work in farms using tractors by wearing a pair of jeans and T-shirt,'' the young leader visioned.

His wife Sharmila and father-in-law veteran drama producer Mohan Wagh were seen sitting in the audience along with other family members.

Referring to the theory of Hindutva as nationalism, Mr Thackeray said, ''If this is so, then I will prefer nationalism.'' He said he would not prefer any appeasement or hypocracy.

On the recent Prophet Mohammad cartoon controversy, Mr Thackeray wondered that when there was no picture of the Prophet available, how did the cartoonist sketch the cartoon. He said when the minority leaders had called on him recently he told them that they should also come forward to criticise the nude paintings of Hindu goddesses sketched by renowned painter M F Husain.

Referring to earlier various renaming of institutions such as Marathwada University and the Victoria Terminus, Mr Thackeray said his party would not support any such renaming. Incidentally, Bombay was renamed as Mumbai during the BJP-Shiv Sena rule.

Earlier, Mr Thackeray garlanded the statue of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his grandfather Prabodhankar Keshav Thackeray and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

He also criticised dalit leaders for not doing anything for the dalit community.

Referring to minorities, Raj said there are some bad elements in the society, but ignoring the good ones was not just and cited the examples of President Abdul Kalam and cricketer Irfan Pathan.

''I am announcing here today that none should greet me by touching my feet instead they should greet with folded hands or just a shake hand,'' he added.

He said since childhood he had been attending the public meetings addressed by his uncle on this ground, but never thought that he would have to launch his separate party.

An emotional Raj Thackeray said when Shiv Sena was launched in 1966 by Bal Thackeray, his father Prabodhankar Keshav Thackeray had said ''I am giving my Bal to Maharashtra''. However, there is nobody to say this word for him so he himself was announcing that ''Me Maharashtracha, Maharashtra maza, (I am for Maharashtra and Maharshtra is for me).'' UNI

UNI