Raj Thackeray: Lost to Politics
on October 26, 2008
Kartikey Sehgal
Journalists from Hindi and Marathi newspapers told me that Raj Thackeray would be a good change for politics in Maharashtra. According to them, Raj never had problems with youngsters canoodling in beaches and parks. He planned to send his party men to the streets on February 14 to ensure safety for couples in love. He had also decided to protect shops selling Valentine cards and other ‘love’ merchandise irrespective of the owner’s religion or language. Raj wanted Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to serve as an antidote to the partisan politics of Shiv Sena and thereby muster support of the people.
He changed. Today, Raj is trying to be more prejudiced than Shiv Sena. I have not met those buoyant journalists to ask them about the recent changes in MNS politics. Raj is fighting court battles. His men are destroying vehicles and buses and trains. They are attacking aspirant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Raj’s change of heart (and ideals) may have to do with fear of living up to his progressive plans. Let us see why he may not go to prison.
Raj is likely to be shielded by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Shiv Sena is a political partner of BJP and NCP could use MNS to fight them in the next elections. Together, they could also challenge the Congress party unless Raj is vehemently hated by the people.
Therefore, it is unlikely that NCP would want Raj to go to jail. They might even oppose any plans to ban the MNS. Congress is also not very keen to punish Raj. Any success of Raj would mean a lump in the fortunes of Shiv Sena-BJP. Congress would find it easier to tackle NCP-MNS than any other political alliance.
I wonder what those journalists have to say about Raj Thackerey. They should be disappointed in writing about the violence of MNS workers. Hopefully they have not lost a family member in the violence. They may rue the missed ‘good change’ that they had talked about.
Raj Thackeray arrested by police for instigating violence and muder
Image: The Hindu
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[...] [Raj is likely to be shielded by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Shiv Sena is a political partner of BJP and NCP could use MNS to fight them in the next elections.] Source [...]