Raj Thackeray takes a dig at cousin Uddhav

Mumbai, Aug 20 (UNI) Taking a dig at his cousin and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray today said he was not among those to ''run his party from home''.

Talking to reporters after inauguration of his party office by noted historian Babasaheb Purandare, Mr Thackeray said he would devote enough time every day at his party office to meet the public and interact with party workers and office-bearers. ''I do not want to run my party from home,'' he said.

Blaming his erstwhile party Shiv Sena for ''Mumbai's deterioration'', Mr Thackeray said the Shiv Sena had done nothing constructive for the growth and progress of the metropolis.

Lambasting the Shiv Sena for launching a personal campaign against him, he said he too had enough evidence to expose the party.

Earlier, after inaugurating the office situated behind the newly constructed Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar, Mr Purandare advised Raj Thackeray to follow the examples of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Lord Krishna. ''I have come to bless him because I have a feeling he can fulfill the aspirations of the people,'' he added.

In his reply, Mr Thackeray said he would strive to realise the expectations and prove that politics can be done sincerely.

The MNS office is situated on the first floor of a ten-storeyed building in a residential locality behind the Shiv Sena Bhavan.

Last Friday, Raj had virtually launched his party's campaign for the 2007 Mumbai municipal elections at Azad Maidan by criticising the Shiv Sena-BJP for failing Mumbai on all fronts. He had, however, made no mention of the Congress or NCP in his speech.

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