The firebrand politician and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has been targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena alliance and due to which candidates from opposition parties want him to address rallies in their constituency.
Raj Thackeray, in his rallies, which are interspersed with audio-visual presentations, is asking voters to vote against Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Though Raj does not specifically seek votes for the Congress-NCP, the drift is clear. As the MNS chief is gaining popularity and the party is facing electoral reverses, the leaders from the party are eyeing the state assembly polls. A senior MNS leader told the DNA, “The most important takeaway is, Raj saheb has managed to create space for the party. Regardless of who wins or loses in the Lok Sabha elections, we have managed to rise as an opposition party, which will help us in the assembly.”
While Raj Thackeray fire salvos at both BJP and Shiv Sena, Sena leaders think that the BJP would face the brunt of Raj’s campaign. A Shiv Sena leader told the DNA, “The Sena and MNS have a common electoral catchment. No supporter of Balasaheb (late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray) will vote for the Congress where the Sena is in the fray. However, some may keep away from voting.”
Raj Thackeray’s favourite line “laav re toh video” (play that video) has become a rage. But to counter Raj, BJP has tried to hit back with old videos of Thackeray lavishly heaping praises on Modi. So far, BJP leader and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state education minister Vinod Tawde have responded to Thackeray’s barbs. To counter MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s campaign against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the saffron party would be rebutting his allegations on April 27.
His effective mix of oratory and audio-visual presentation to contradict the Modi government’s claims have put the BJP on the defensive in the state. State minister and BJP leader Vinod Tawde has said the party will come out with its own videos to expose Thackeray.
