Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, has ramped up his campaign efforts ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, with a significant announcement during his visit to Nagpur. Thackeray revealed that he plans to field a candidate in Worli, the constituency currently held by Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena. This move underscores Thackeray’s determination to make a strong electoral impact.
Addressing his supporters, Raj Thackeray stated, “I will contest elections in Worli. We had 37 to 38 thousand votes there previously. The people will give their power to me. This is what BJP has been talking about since 1952, and they came to power in 2014. It takes time, but now it’s about the assembly elections.”
Thackeray also commented on the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a government initiative aimed at financial aid for women. He was skeptical about the effectiveness of such schemes, stating, “People are very smart. They will take the money if offered, but it doesn’t mean they will vote accordingly. In Kolhapur, voters keep money bags on their doors. So, how can anyone know who voted for whom?”
In a broader critique, Thackeray emphasized that citizens are seeking employment rather than free handouts. “People are asking for jobs, not free money. Farmers don’t want free electricity; they want sustainable solutions. The money being distributed is taxpayers’ money. We need to create jobs and address the needs of the youth in Maharashtra. There are numerous jobs available in the state, but they’re not reaching those who need them,” he asserted.
Thackeray also touched upon the issue of women’s safety, criticizing the government’s response to recent incidents. Referring to the sexual assault case in Badlapur, he remarked, “Our party disclosed that incident. It’s not just about using firecrackers after an incident. This should be daily news, and we need to bring these issues to light consistently.”