MNS vice-president quits party, targets Raj

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) suffered a major jolt on Tuesday after party vice-president and transport wing chief Haji Arafat Shaikh quit the party in a huff, but not before levelling serious allegations against the party chief.

Sources said the businessmanpolitician may be heading to the Shiv Sena, something that Shaikh refused to confirm.

Shaikh, in a press conference, alleged the MNS chief had ignored the party, which is why the party’s performances were dismal, he said. “He has time to play with his dogs but not attend to party matters and meet party workers,” Shaikh said.

Shaikh also levelled allegations of corruption against Thackeray. “He believes in the politics of ‘settlement’,” the former MNS leader said. Party sources said while Shaikh has little political clout his grip over the transport sector is considerable.

The former MNS leader was also seen as the Muslim face of the party.

This comes just two days after Thackeray hinted that he wasn’t keen on contesting the polls, a sudden about-turn from what he had declared in a May rally Shaikh said, “Thackeray keeps flip-flopping over such critical issues. He remained confused even about whether he supports Modi or not. This has left the party workers thoroughly confused.”

Senior party leader and MLA Pravin Darekar said Shaikh’s exit won’t matter much to the party “Whatever following Shaikh had was not because of his work but because of the party chief. He should remember that.”

Meanwhile, Prakash Surve, who is an NCP leader from Magathane joined the Shiv Sena on Tuesday afternoon.