Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday said he would go to any extent to forge an alliance with the Shiv Sena to protect the interests of the Marathi manoos. He said he has so far made seven calls to the Sena leadership.
Addressing a rally at Shivaji Mandir in Dadar, Mr. Thackeray said, “I have been fighting for the cause of Marathi people. That is why I have been targeted. If needed, I will lick the feet of any person to protect the interests of Marathi manoos. ”
He said, “I made an offer to the Shiv Sena to protect the interests of Marathi people. But the party is playing a double role by going solo in the local elections, while sharing power at the Centre and State.
“I think the BJP and the Shiv Sena are enacting a drama of contesting polls separately and forming an alliance after the results.”
He said a similar drama was on display in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation polls, where both parties fought against each other only to come together later.
Rubbishing speculations of MNS not contesting the BMC polls, Mr. Thackeray said the party will contest all municipal corporation elections in the State.
“The Shiv Sena does not want to lose the Mayor’s bungalow, which has been identified to build a memorial to Balasaheb Thackeray. The party fears that if it parts ways with the BJP, it may sit on the proposal. My intention of joining hands with the Shiv Sena was to oppose the BJP.”
Mr. Thackeray said the BJP plans to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and it will become a reality if Mumbaikars do not oppose it.
Published - February 01, 2017 11:26 pm IST
