Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray addresses party workers
PTI File Photo
Mumbai: Raj Thackeray would launch his state-wide tour mid-July in the run up to the Vidhan Sabha polls when the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is expected to consolidate its position after electoral setbacks in 2014 and 2019.
In the Lok Sabha elections, Raj has extended unconditional support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I am starting my state-wide tour mid-July,” Raj said on Monday while addressing a meeting of top leadership of the party.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Raj shared a dais with Modi at the historic Shivaji Park during the Maha Yuti (NDA) rally in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the chief leader of Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Ministers - Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP’s troubleshooter on the state and Ajit Pawar, who is the NCP President - were present.
During this rally, Raj had tendered a six-point wish list including fulfilling the the long-pending demand to declare Marathi as a classical language and preservation and conservation of forts dedicated to legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, including the history of the Maratha Empire in textbooks across the country, immediate refurbishment of Mumbai-Goa Highway, curbing of anti-national forces within India and silence the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc who are claiming that the Constitution would be changed.
The exact seat-sharing details of the Maha Yuti is yet to take shape, however, there are reports that the MNS chief is likely to field his trusted aide Sandeep Deshpande against this nephew and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's son and MLA Aditya Thackeray from Worli constituency.