With Assembly elections in Maharashtra just days away, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(MNS) chief Raj Thackeray appeared to have conceded his defeat as he exhorted voters to make MNS a ‘strong and powerful’ opposition. In a candid admission, Thackeray admitted that his party is not in the position of “forming the government” in the state and would be content with empowering the opposition.
Thackeray voiced his realisation while addressing a rally in Mumbai’s Bandra last evening. Requesting the voters to elect MNS candidates, Raj said, “I urge you to support and elect all my candidates, to help us become a powerful opposition party. All my candidates have a burning fire in their bellies to do something for you, they will hold the government accountable and ensure that the promises made by them are fulfilled. The ruling party MLAs have a knack of remaining silent and turn a blind eye to the raging public issues.”
In his first rally after being questioned by ED in a money laundering case, Raj Thackeray said, “what this State needs today is nothing but a capable and strong Opposition. This might be the first time that a political leader is making this demand. But I am appealing to you to make me the Leader of Opposition. Today it is only the Opposition that can raise issues and give justice to people.”
He added, “I know my limitations; I know what I can do and what I can’t. When it is within my capacity, and I am sure that the day will come soon, I will seek power from you all. But today, the State needs a strong Opposition who can slam the rulers.”
After stating that MNS has slim chances of being a part of the government in Maharashtra, the MNS chief listed out the virtues of having a strong opposition in a democracy. Reiterating that a strong opposition is imperative for fostering democracy, Raj said that it is the remit of the opposition legislators to speak up for the masses and help deliver justice to the people.
It is noteworthy to mention that a few days before realising that his party is facing long odds in coming to power in Maharashtra, Raj Thackeray had imperiously dished out a threat of boycotting the Maharashtra Assembly elections in opposition to the decision of using EVMs in the elections.
