Life has come a full circle for MNS chief Raj Thackeray. From supporting BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi, then vehemently opposing him by playing his old speeches in his rally to extending unconditional support
As promised in the teaser Raj Thackeray in his annual speech touched upon all the speculations surrounding him and his party after a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital, while speaking at a jam-packed Shivaji Park.
On Merger with Shinde’s Sena
Speaking on reports of the merger with CM Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Thackeray said if he wanted to he could have become the Sena chief back then when he was in the Shiv Sena and he had the adequate support as well. “I was and am very clear that I will not do anything by breaking the party and it’s very clear that I am not going to work under anybody except for Bal Thackeray,” Thackeray said.
On meeting with Amit Shah:
Thackeray said “Since the last 2 years CM Shinde and DCM have been insisting that we should work together. So I went to meet Amit Shah to understand what was the proposal… We spoke of seat distribution. The last time I sat for negotiations was in 1995. I don’t have the temperament of negotiations,” he added.
However, Thackeray said that he would not compromise on his party symbol. “We have earned our symbol with a lot of hard work. No compromise on the symbol,” he said.
On ‘Laav Re’ toh video row:
Raj Thackeray said BJP was the second party he was close to after Shiv Sena. Thackeray said he supported Narendra Modi but when he felt things were not going as promised by Modi he expressed dissent.” Yes I opposed PM Modi but whenever he did anything good like scrapping 370 and NRC we were the first to welcome it”
Hitting out at his estranged brother Raj said “I did not oppose for CM post but because I did not agree to Modi’s stance you are opposing because your party has been split.”
Thackeray said I have a lot of expectations from Modi and this election is a deciding factor for India’s fate.
He further appealed to the voters to vote wisely. Thackeray concluded his speech by saying that in the final rounds of seat sharing, he said to Fadnavis: ” I don’t want Rajya Sabha, I don’t want MLC, I just want a stable leadership for India.” And for a stable leadership and Narendra Modi, I am extending my support to the ruling Mahayuti Interestingly, in 2014 also Raj Thackeray had said his support was for Narendra Modi and not for BJP.
Be Ready for VidhanSabha
Thackeray ended his speech by appealing to a sea of followers who had come from various parts of Maharashtra to listen to him, to be prepared for assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held at the end of this year.
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