TIME TO UNITE, MNS CHIEF RAJ TELLS OPPN PARTIES AGAIN

MUMBAI: After supporting Congress’ Bharat Bandh against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over rising fuel prices, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday reiterated that he would like all Opposition parties to unite against the BJP in the 2019 elections.

In his Gudi Padwa rally, Thackeray had called for a Modimukt Bharat. “I still would like all Opposition parties to come together against the Bjp-led government,” Thackeray said, adding, “The Shiv Sena has no stand and is confused. It is like a Cocker Spaniel who doesn’t know where to look. Whenever a monetary issue arises, they threaten to quit and when it is settled, they keep quiet. They are hardly bothered about the welfare of citizens.”

Calling the BJP a hypocrite, he said, “Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the price rise was beyond the control of the Centre. Then, why did they agitate and call for a bandh on the issue when the Congress was in power? The BJP is not a party with difference, it is worse than the Congress.”

Thackeray even indirectly commended the role of the MNS, saying he was hopeful that even the Centre must have taken note of it.

On Monday, MNS workers came out on the streets, resorted to violence and put up boards warning both citizens and shopkeepers. MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said his party was responsible for the success of the agitation. “The bandh would have flopped had the MNS not taken part,” he said.

Political analysts said it is not possible for the Congress or NCP to align directly with the MNS. “The MNS is more of a nuisance value and Opposition parties may have some sort of arrangement with them. It can be like 2009, where the Congress-ncp made Raj Thackeray a hero and ensured the defeat of BJP-SHIV Sena in both the Lok Sabha and assembly polls,” said political analyst Surendra Jondhale.