Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday attacked chief minister Eknath Shinde for holding a public meeting at the same venue where Uddhav Thackeray had held a massive rally two weeks back. The MNS leader said that the chief minister should focus on working for the state instead of holding rallies as a reply to Uddhav Thackeray.
“I want to tell CM Eknath Shinde, you got the seat, now you must work for Maharashtra. Don’t do rallies where Uddhav Thackeray does rallies,” Raj Thackeray charged at Shinde at a rally in Shivaji Park.
Eknath Shinde held an ‘uttar sabha’ (reply rally) at Khed in coastal Ratnagiri where he made a slew of promises while launching an attack against Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress and the NCP.
“There are many important issues in the state – farmers’ issues, employment issues and more. Why are you just talking about rallies?” Thackeray asked.
He was addressing the Gudi Padva rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar area of central Mumbai.
The MNS chief reiterated his demand to stop the use of loudspeakers for azaan and said he will meet Shinde to raise the issue again.
“CM Eknath Shinde, you must take action on loudspeakers. You must make a decision. I will meet you again on this. You must take action on this issue at the earliest,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray had given a call from the Gudi Padwa rally last year to stop the use of loudspeaker and warned that his party will play Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques if the state government does not remove the loudspeakers by May 3.
Earlier today, security in Dadar area was stepped up in view of the `Padva Melava’ (Gudi Padva rally) of the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. Adequate police force was deployed as thousands of MNS supporters were expected to attend the rally, reported PTI quoting an official. Parking was prohibited on seven roads leading to Shivaji Park and traffic on some roads was also diverted. Police also set up temporary parking spaces for vehicles coming from outside the city, according to the report.
(With inputs from agencies)
