M A I N   N E W S

Raj Thackeray floats party
Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, March 9
Bal Thackeray’s nephew Raj Thackeray today launched his new party, 80 days after he split away from the Shiv Sena.

Raj, who is wooing the youth with a promise of new Maharashtra, has named his outfit as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Thackeray strode to the launch venue in downtown Mumbai after seeking blessings at Siddhivinayak temple and was cheered by more than 2,000 supporters from across the state. Many prominent leaders of the Shiv Sena were also present on the occasion. Absent from the dais were the images of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.

Later, addressing reporters, Raj said he would not be using his uncle’s pictures since he had objected to them. However, a picture of Bal Thackeray’s father, Prabhodankar Thackeray, along with a painting of Maratha warrior Shivaji Maharaj were prominently displayed.

Raj later told reporters that the pain of breaking away from his uncle’s family still remained. “Only those who have left their homes will understand what I went through,” he said.

The new party’s flag sports the colours of dark blue, saffron and dark green. Raj Thackeray said he would explain the significance of the colours when the party holds its maiden rally on March 19. He said he would also announce the names of office-bearers of the MNS during the rally. Thackeray himself would be the president of the party.

The new party's stand on Hindutva and its agenda for the development of Maharashtra would also be spelt out at the public meeting, Raj said.

He will address the party’s rally at Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai where his uncle traditionally addresses the Shiv Sena’s Dasehra rally every year.

Spelling out his political ambitions, Raj said the MNS would contest the Mumbai civic polls in 2007. At present, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is controlled by the Shiv Sena.