I am not in politics for personal gains: Raj Thackeray

Nagpur, Sep 18: Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief on Thursday, Sep 18 said he was not into politics for personal gains, but to fight for issues. ''I am not bothered about any gains or losses that I might make with my involvement in politics. I have taken up certain issues, and I will stick to them,'' Thackeray told newspersons during an informal chat here.

Asserting that he was not against Hindi-speaking people as such, he said it pained him when people came to Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra and snatched the livelihood of the locals. ''I know of families whose mothertongue is not Marathi, but who have been staying in Maharashtra for a long time and who speak the language fluently,'' he said.

Thackeray said there was not much industrial development in other parts of the state, like Vidarbha region. The people in these parts, therefore, were not aware of the severity of the problem (of outsiders), he said.

Commenting on the lack of development in Vidarbha, the MNS chief said it was due to the apathy of the leaders in the region, who did not work together.

Earlier, Thackeray arrived here this morning on a six-day tour of Vidarbha. During his visit, the MNS chief will hold district-wise meetings with party workers in all the 11 districts of the region.

He is also scheduled to visit 'Anandwan' Ashram, founded for leprosy patients by noted social worker and Magsaysay award winner late Baba Amte in Chandrapur district.

UNI