Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said here on Friday that he will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis soon, emphasizing the need for dialogue among political parties in the larger interest of Maharashtra.
His statement came after he met Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena rival and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde at the latter’s Nandanvan residence in Thane
Raj Thackeray said that politics in Maharashtra has changed and that constructive engagement should not be viewed negatively. “We no longer have the kind of politics there used to be. If we have something to say, if there are some good things that need to be done, shouldn’t we meet?” he said, adding that he plans to meet CM Fadnavis on Saturday.
He questioned the unchecked growth of cities and the strain on urban infrastructure. “There is a city. How many people can live in that city? Are we going to give it any shape or form? Can anyone go anywhere and start living in any city? This is impossible,” Raj Thackeray said.
The MNS chief said such issues should be discussed jointly by the state and central governments, warning that cities could face serious consequences if growth remains unregulated.
He said there was earlier a culture of engagement after elections, but that practice has faded, as he urged both ruling parties and opposition parties to adopt a balanced approach.
“The government should correct itself where it is wrong. Tomorrow if we are in the government, we should do the same,” Raj Thackeray said, adding that governance should ultimately benefit the people of the state.
“Presently, Maharashtra is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) but all political power comes with an expiry date. The current situation in Maharashtra is very dire. Nothing is permanent,” Raj Thackeray told a gathering of MNS state-level MNS office bearers at Rangsharda auditorium in Bandra West.
MNS leaders Sandeep Deshpande, Yashwant Killedar, Avinash Abhyankar, Gajanan Kale, Amey Khopkar and Amit Thackeray along with all the prominent district presidents and state level office bearers of the MNS were present at the meeting.
“When the Congress was in power, many people used to wonder who could shake the Congress, but it happened. The same Congress party which ruled this country for about 58 years is struggling today. The same thing will definitely happen to the present rulers as well,” Raj Thackeray said.
“We have to select liaison officers for each district. There are no elections for the next three years, so start party building now. Marathi Language Day, which will be celebrated on February 27, must be celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state and you must do all you can,” Raj Thackeray said.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut reacted to Raj Thackeray’s recent meeting with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde here on Friday.
“Raj Thackeray met Eknath Shinde. Please don’t ask me questions like–did you talk to Uddhav Thackeray about this meeting? Why should I answer such questions here? Why should I tell it on camera? This is our party’s internal matter. Who should meet whom is an internal matter. Eknath Shinde is an enemy of Maharashtra’s identity and self-respect. The Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray was stolen by Amit Shah. Therefore, he cannot be the head of Maharashtra or Shiv Sena,” Sanjay Raut said.
“Eknath Shinde and I have a fight and will continue to have one. That fight is not personal but about Maharashtra’s self-respect, interests, and morality. We will take this fight to the extreme. I don’t want to say anything more about this,” Sanjay Raut said.