BOMBAY, 10 March 2006 — Firebrand Maharashtra leader Raj Thackeray yesterday announced the formation of his new political party — Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena — but insisted he still had “deep respect” for his uncle. Thousands of Shiv Sena workers yesterday joined the newly floated party.
Refusing to divulge details about his party, Raj said he would provide all details to the media on March 19, when he would hold a rally at the Shivaji Park. However, Raj said that his party will contest the forthcoming elections to the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC).
“I will talk about the new party in detail on March 19. I will answer all your questions then. So, please hold your queries till then,” Raj told a press conference here.
When asked about his uncle and Sena chief Bal Thackeray, Raj said: “I still have deep respect for him.”
Raj, who quit the Sena following differences with his cousin and Sena executive chief Uddhav Thackeray, also unveiled the party’s new blue, saffron and green flag.
Uddhav is Bal Thackeray’s son. Raj had once been considered his uncle’s political heir but the Sena chief eventually opted in favor of his son.
Raj’s new party comes after he traveled for weeks through different parts of Maharashtra where the 39-year-old former Sena leader tested his strength and the mood of the people.
Before announcing the new party. Raj visited the popular Siddhivinayak Temple. He garlanded a bust of the medieval Maratha chieftain Shivaji who is an icon for people of Maharashtra.
Raj, however, conspicuously abstained from mentioning the name of Bal Thackeray.
Reacting to the new party, Congress party spokesman Sanjay Nirupam said: “It does not matter who forms which party. It’s a democracy after all. But one should not indulge in divisive politics and create trouble in the name of religion, region, caste and creed.”
State Bharatiyta Janata Party chief Nitin Gadkari wished Raj well.
“We wish Raj very well” he said.
In another unrelated development, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has decided to field two of it’s candidates for the forthcoming elections to the Rajya Sabha (upper house).
Party spokesman Ratnakar Mahajan said the names of the candidates would be announced on Monday. Refusing to disclose the names of the possible candidates, Mahajan said his party was in a position to win both the seats.
However, party insiders said the two candidates were Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and senior party leader Vasant Chavan. — Additional input from IANS.
