Election Commission allots rail engine as poll symbol to MNS

March 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Mar 19 (ANI): The Election Commission has recognised Raj Thackeray”s Maharashtra Narvnirman Sena (MNS) party as a state party and a rail engine has been allotted as the party”s poll symbol.

The Commission informed the Supreme Court of its decision as MNS fulfilled all the requirements needed for the recognition of a state party.

For recognition as a state party, a party either needs three percent of the total Assembly seats or six percent votes of the total votes polled in the Assembly elections plus two MLAs.

The MNS that has fulfilled the first criterion had asked the apex court of the country to allot it a poll symbol, so that it could contest Maharashtra Municipal Corporation and council elections. (ANI)

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Raj Thackeray criticises Yadav trio over Women”s Reservation Bill

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Mar 16 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has criticized Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav for their opposition to the Women”s Reservation Bill.

Thackeray said by opposing the Bill, these leaders have endangered Marathi pride as well by opposing the landmark legislation.

Taking a dig at the Yadav trio, Thackeray said they must learn how to respect women from the MNS or else they would be given a lesson on it.

Targeting Lalu Yadav, Thackeray said party tickets should not be given to wives and daughters of politicians.

“The MNS fully supports the Women”s Reservation Bill. But I have one request, that power should be exercised by the women themselves, not their husbands,” he added.

The Yadavs earlier said the Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha does not protect the interest of minorities, Dalits and Muslims, so they want a quota within this for the backward class and Muslim women.

History was created in the Rajya Sabha on March 9 when it voted by an overwhelming majority a Bill to reserve one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and Assemblies for women after government pushed ahead with it, ignoring possible threats to its stability and after eviction of troublesome MPs opposed to it.

Fourteen years after the first attempt was made in the Lok Sabha and repeated failures subsequently, the Constitution amendment bill was adopted in the mandatory division with 186 members voting for it and one voting against.

In the 245-member House with an effective strength of 233, the bill required the backing of at least 155 members and the UPA had the clear support of 165 in the run up to the event.

The bill seeks to reserve for women 181 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha and 1,370 out of a total of 4,109 seats in the 28 State Assemblies. (ANI)

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BJP- Shiv Sena finalises seat sharing for Maharashtra assembly polls

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Aug 31 (ANI): Though the party’s top leadership is struggling to set the house in order, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Maharashtra unit has finalised the seat sharing agreement with the Shiv Sena on Monday for the upcoming assembly polls in the state.

According to BJP sources the talks with Shiv Sena are almost over and an official announcement would be made in a day or two.

Both the parties agreed for the existing 171:117 formula for the 288 Assembly seats, sources added.

In the 2004 Assembly elections, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had allotted seven seats to Shetkari Sanghatana led by vetern farmer’s leader Sharad Joshi. As Joshi’s party is no more a partner of Sena-BJP combine, both the parties are expected to share these seats.

BJP is claiming the Chindwada seat, as the sitting legislator of that constituency joined the party.

The poll managers of the saffron alliance are confident of achieving seat matrix despite trouble faced by the BJP central leadership.

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress – Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) combine is still not sure on maintaining the alliance. Also the strategy of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is not yet clear.

The MNS is holding its cards close to the chest as to go alone or ally with one of the two major political groups, or opt for the Third Front. (ANI)

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Monsoon Marathon staged in Thane sans any rain

July 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Thane, July 12 (ANI): Thousands of enthusiasts from different walks of life and age groups participated in the annual ‘Varsha Marathon’ or, the Monsoon Marathon held at Thane in Maharashtra on Sunday.

This marathon race is reckoned to be one of the biggest sporting events of Thane, located on the outskirts of Mumbai.

The ‘Varsha Marathon’ is hosted with to encourage youngsters to be more health conscious and sports-oriented.

For Rashmi Srivastava, one of the girl participants, this marathon run has been an index of unity and human strength to achieve the impossible, individually as well as collectively.

“Here people of all ages, old and young alike, are running for unity. It sends a signal that we all should unite to fight for something and to achieve something. We should always be united, come what may,” said Rashmi Srivastava, a young participant.

The annual 40-kilometres marathon is two decades old and it was started by Shiv Sena. However, this year, Maharashtra Navanirmana Sena (MNS), the breakaway faction of Shiv Sena led by Raj Thackeray, was in the forefront in organising this event.

Interestingly, it is for the first time in 20 years that the marathon was held with the weather gods playing truant! The founder and chief of MNS, Raj Thackeray flagged off the race with hardly any clouds in sight.

“This marathon takes place every year. Though the name of the marathon is ‘Varsha (monsoon) Marathon’, however, this year it is only marathon without the rain. We hope it will rain,” said Raj Thackeray.

This year the race was open to competitors from all over India despite MNS being allergic to people who are not ‘Marathi Manoos’ (non bona-fide residents of Maharashtra). (ANI)

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Bal Thackeray undergoes angiography

July 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bal Thackeray undergoes angiography

Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray underwent an angiography on Tuesday morning and is likely to operated upon, a party insider said.

Thackeray, 83, was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here Monday following breathing problems.

After the angiography and the medical panel’s expert advice, Thackeray may undergo a surgery later Tuesday, a party insider said, requesting anonymity.

The Lilavati Hospital had set up a five-member panel to treat him – Jaleel Parker, who has been regularly treating him; J.J. Dalal, Samuel Mathew, Ajit Menon and Prakash Jindani, who examined the senior leader to determine the course of treatment Monday.

Concerned about his advanced age and frail health, the medicos have discussed the treatment options available with Thackeray’s family.

Son Udhav has cut short his trip to the US and is expected return to Mumbai later Tuesday to be with his father, who underwent a heart surgery a few years ago.

Thackeray’s estranged nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, senior party leaders like Manohar Joshi, party MPs, legislators and senior leaders of the ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been thronging the hospital to inquire after his health.

Thackeray had been admitted to the same hospital June 18 for treating similar respiratory problems, causing concern among family and party members. He was discharged after six days in hospital.

Earlier, in March this year, Thackeray had spent 11 days in Lilavati Hospital for similar health complaints.

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Raj Thackeray gets bail on surety of rupees one lakh

June 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, June 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray was on Monday granted bail on surety of rupees one lakh in connection with his role in a 2008 riot case in which North Indians appearing for railway recruitment examination were assaulted.

Earlier in the day, Thackeray surrendered before the Kalyan court. After surrendering before the court, he was taken to the Kalyan Railway Police Station.

The Bombay High Court had on June 16 set aside an anticipatory bail granted to Thackeray in the same case by a lower court and asked him to surrender before the court concerned by June end.

The State Government had filed an appeal in the High Court challenging the grant of interim anticipatory bail to Thackeray.

Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota had then noted that custodial interrogation of Thackeray was not necessary at this stage.

Upholding the State Government’s contention that Kalyan Sessions Court’s order granting anticipatory bail to the MNS chief had become infructuous as the Railway police had already arrested him, the High Court quashed the lower court order granting interim protection to Thackeray.

It maybe recalled that MNS and Shiv Sena activists attacked 17 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai on October 19 last year, protesting “inadequate representation” to locals and chased away candidates from north India.

Ten people were arrested then for disrupting the examination and targeting candidates. Five candidates were admitted to hospitals in Thane and Kalyan following the assault. (ANI)

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Raj Thackeray remanded to judicial custody till July 13

June 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, June 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray was remanded to judicial custody till July 13 by a Kalyan court today in connection with his role in a 2008 riot case in which North Indians appearing for railway recruitment examination were assaulted.

Earlier in the day, Thackeray surrendered before a Kalyan court.

The Bombay High Court had on June 16 set aside an anticipatory bail granted to Thackeray in the same case by a lower court and asked him to surrender before the court concerned by June end.

The State Government had filed an appeal in the High Court challenging the grant of interim anticipatory bail to Thackeray.

Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota had then noted that custodial interrogation of Thackeray was not necessary at this stage.

Upholding the State Government’s contention that Kalyan Sessions Court’s order granting anticipatory bail to the MNS chief had become infructuous as the Railway police had already arrested him, the High Court quashed the lower court order granting interim protection to Thackeray.

It maybe recalled that MNS and Shiv Sena activists attacked 17 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai on October 19 last year, protesting “inadequate representation” to locals and chased away candidates from north India.

Ten people were arrested then for disrupting the examination and targeting candidates. Five candidates were admitted to hospitals in Thane and Kalyan following the assault. (ANI)

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Raj Thackeray taken to Kalyan Railway Police Station

June 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, June 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, who surrendered before a Kalyan court this morning, was taken to the Kalyan Railway Police Station, in connection with his role in a 2008 riot case in which North Indians appearing for railway recruitment examination were assaulted.

The Bombay High Court had on June 16 set aside an anticipatory bail granted to Thackeray in the same case by a lower court and asked him to surrender before the court concerned by June end.

The State Government had filed an appeal in the High Court challenging the grant of interim anticipatory bail to Thackeray.

Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota had then noted that custodial interrogation of Thackeray was not necessary at this stage.

Upholding the State Government’s contention that Kalyan Sessions Court’s order granting anticipatory bail to the MNS chief had become infructuous as the Railway police had already arrested him, the High Court quashed the lower court order granting interim protection to Thackeray.

It maybe recalled that MNS and Shiv Sena activists attacked 17 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai on October 19 last year, protesting “inadequate representation” to locals and chased away candidates from north India.

Ten people were arrested then for disrupting the examination and targeting candidates. Five candidates were admitted to hospitals in Thane and Kalyan following the assault. (ANI)

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Raj Thackeray surrenders before Mumbai’s Kalyan court

June 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, June 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray surrendered before a Kalyan court today in connection with his role in a 2008 riot case in which North Indians appearing for railway recruitment examination were assaulted.

The Bombay High Court had on June 16 set aside an anticipatory bail granted to Thackeray in the same case by a lower court and asked him to surrender before the court concerned by June end.

The State Government had filed an appeal in the High Court challenging the grant of interim anticipatory bail to Thackeray.

Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota had then noted that custodial interrogation of Thackeray was not necessary at this stage.

Upholding the State Government’s contention that Kalyan Sessions Court’s order granting anticipatory bail to the MNS chief had become infructuous as the Railway police had already arrested him, the High Court quashed the lower court order granting interim protection to Thackeray.

It maybe recalled that MNS and Shiv Sena activists attacked 17 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai on October 19 last year, protesting “inadequate representation” to locals and chased away candidates from north India.

Ten people were arrested then for disrupting the examination and targeting candidates. Five candidates were admitted to hospitals in Thane and Kalyan following the assault. (ANI)

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North Indian attacks: Raj Thackeray to surrender before court on Monday

June 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, June 28 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray will surrender before a Kalyan court on Monday in connection with his role in a 2008 riot case in which North Indians appearing for railway recruitment examination were assaulted.

After presenting himself before the court, Thackeray is expected to move an application saying he was surrendering, his lawyer Sayaji Nangre said.

Thackeray would then move an application for bail.

The Bombay High Court had on June 16 set aside an anticipatory bail granted to Thackeray in the same case by a lower court and asked him to surrender before the court concerned by June end.

The state government had filed an appeal in the high court challenging the grant of interim anticipatory bail to Thackeray.

Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota had then noted that custodial interrogation of Thackeray was not necessary at this stage.

Upholding the state government’s contention that Kalyan Sessions Court’s order granting anticipatory bail to the MNS chief had become infructuous as the Railway police had already arrested him, the High Court quashed the lower court order granting interim protection to Thackeray.

It maybe recalled that MNS and Shiv Sena activists attacked 17 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai on October 19 last year, protesting “inadequate representation” to locals and chased away candidates from north India.

Ten people were arrested then for disrupting the examination and targeting candidates. Five candidates were admitted to hospitals in Thane and Kalyan following the assault.

Condemning the attack, then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad demanded a ban on the MNS, calling Raj Thackeray a “mental case”.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told then Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to ensure the safety of students from Bihar.

He called the MNS “a divisive force” and demanded strong action against it.

Railway officials said they had received over two lakh applications for posts of Enquiry-cum-Reservation Clerk, Assistant Station Master and Goods Guards. While they did not give numbers for those who finally took the examination, officials said the turnout was low in view of the MNS threat.

Defending the attacks, MNS spokesperson Nitin Sardesai said: “It’s been happening for years now and the locals have not been getting jobs adequately in the Railways. When there are enough people, both skilled and unskilled, who could be employed, why call people from other states.”

When it was pointed out that the Shiv Sena too had carried out attacks in Navi Mumbai, he said: “When we do something, they have to copy us.” (ANI)

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Thackeray family feud now out in the open

May 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, May 24 (ANI): The Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have both been electorally routed in Mumbai and in parts of Maharashtra in the recent general elections, but this has not stopped the Thackeray family from bringing its internal bickering out into the open.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has blamed his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray for the Shiv Sena’s poll debacle. But Raj has wasted no time in hitting back at Uddhav.

Raj Thackeray said: “I have a question for Uddhav Thackeray. You voted for Mahesh Jethmalani. Is he a Marathi? Do you think Marathis will benefit by voting for Mahesh Jethmalani?”.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief said that MNS did not steal anybody’s votes.

He said while addressing his party workers here last Friday in the wake of the comments by Uddhav Thackeray’s comments that the votes of the “Marathi Manoos” had been taken away that due to presence of MNS, the votes were split in the recent elections.

“I have not stolen the votes of anybody, its the people who have supported us… Balasaheb Thackeray has all the right to say anything about me and I will not debate against him… I will also ask Uddhav Thackeray as to whom did he vote in this election. If it”"”s Mahesh Jethmalani , then is he a Marathi and if not then how can they allege that I have stolen the votes of Marathi?” said Raj Thackeray.

Stung by this direct attack, Uddhav raked up the Ramesh Kini’s murder case in which Raj was one of the accused.

Uddhav reminded Raj that Jethamalinis had helped him get acquitted and that too in the murder of a Marathi.

“You say I voted for a non-Marathi candidate like Mahesh Jethmalani but it was Jethmalani with whom Sena chief Bal Thackeray was in constant contact with, to acquit you in the murder case of Ramesh Kini, a Marathi,” Uddhav Thackeray added.

Sena chief Bal Thackeray has already declared that he’s broken all ties with his nephew Raj. And now the Thackeray cousins licking their electoral wounds are locked in a bitter verbal slugfest.

MNS, a splinter group of the Shiv Sena has played a spoilsport for the National Democratic Alliance in their strongholds Mumbai and Thane.

Out of its 12 nominees, three candidates of MNS had come up second while the remaining bagged the third spot in the election.

While Shiv Sena bagged 11 seats, the BJP managed just nine of the total 48 constituencies in Maharashtra. (ANI)

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MNS has not taken votes of Shiv Sena, claims Raj Thackeray

May 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, May 23 (ANI) The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has said that MNS did not steal anybody’s votes.

He said while addressing his party workers here on Friday in the wake of the comments by Shiv Sena’s Executive President Uddhav Thackeray that due to presence of MNS, the votes were split in the recent elections to Lok Sabha.

Raj Thackeray brushed aside the allegations that his outfit has cut into the votes of an alliance of Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state in the recently concluded general polls,

“…I have not stolen the votes of anybody, its the people who have supported us… Balasaheb Thackeray has all the right to say anything about me and I will not debate against him… I will also ask Uddhav Thackeray as to whom did he vote in this election. If it’s Mahesh Jethmalani , then is he a Marathi and if not then how can they allege that I have stolen the votes of Marathi?” said Raj Thackeray.

MNS, a splinter group of the Shiv Sena has played a spoilsport for the National Democratic Alliance in their strongholds Mumbai and Thane.

Out of its 12 nominees, three candidates of MNS had come up second while the remaining bagged the third spot in the election.

While Shiv Sena bagged 11 seats, the BJP managed just nine of the total 48 constituencies in Maharashtra. (ANI)

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Nominations close in Mumbai, Thane for the last phase

April 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Nominations for the last 10 of Maharashtra’s 48 Lok Sabha constituencies – six in Mumbai and four in neighbouring Thane that go to the polls April 30 in the third phase of elections – ended here Thursday.

Top political heavyweights who have filed nominations in the past few days include Ram Naik, Gurudas Kamat, Abu Asim Azmi and young leaders like Milind Deora, Sanjay Nirupam and Priya Dutt, besides several newcomers from different parties.

The 10 constituencies are: Mumbai North, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South-Central and Mumbai South; Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Palghar.

The main contest in the region will be between the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) combine and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena alliance.

However, this time, other parties like Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have also put up candidates in many constituencies, spelling trouble for the main contenders.

Among the 10 constituencies, the Congress will clash against Shiv Sena in Mumbai South, Mumbai South-Central and Mumbai North-West and against the BJP in Mumbai North and Mumbai North-Central, Bhiwandi and Palghar.

This time, the NCP will be pitted against the BJP in Mumbai North-East, and the Sena in Thane and Kalyan.

The contestants include seven sitting MPs, four legislators and members of legislative council.

In a rare occurrence, two sitting MPs will be in direct contest in Mumbai South, thanks to the delimitation exercise which has changed the face of most constituencies. The Congress’s Deora will fight Sena’s Mohan Rawale.

The MNS’s Bala Nandgaonkar will contest from Mumbai South, giving a tough time to Rawale, while two Muslim candidates – BSP’s Mohammed Ali Shaikh and Samajwadi Party’s cleric-turned-politician Maulana Syed Athar Ali, indicate rough days for Deora.

At the other end of the city, Mumbai North, former central minister Ram Naik will lock horns with former Sena MP and former journalist, Congress candidate Sanjay Nirupam. The MNS has also put up Shirish Parker, a close confidant of Raj Thackeray.

In the neighbouring Mumbai North-West seat, the Congress’ strongman Gurudas Kamat is pitted against Sena heavyweight Gajanand Kirtikar and Samajwadi Party state chief Abu Asim Azmi and the MNS’s Shalini Thackeray, the first-ever Thackeray ‘bahu’ (daughter-in-law) to contest an election.

Priya Dutt will be in a direct contest against the BJP’s Mahesh Jethmalani, ace criminal lawyer and son of former minister Ram Jethmalani. However, the Samajwadi Party has not put up a candidate here though the BSP’s Haji Ibrahim Shaikh is in the fray.

Mumbai South-Central will see the Congress’s Eknath Gaikwad lock horns with Sena MLA Suresh Gambhir, while Mumbai North-East will witness a contest between the BJP’s Kirit Somaiya and the NCP’s Sanjay Patil.

In the neighbouring district of Thane, state Excise Minister Ganesh Naik’s son Sajeev Naik will contest against Vijay Chougule of the Sena, deputy chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council (the sole MLC in the fray), and the NCP’s Vasant Davkhare will fight against the Sena’s Anand Paranjpe in Kalyan.

Bhiwandi will see a contest between the Congress’ Suresh Taware and the BJP’s Jagannath Patil, and in Palghar the Congress’s Damu Shingda will fight against the BJP’s Chintaman Wanga.

Besides these seasoned politicians, non-politicians are also in the fray for the first time. They include a banker, ABN-Amro’s country chief Meera Sanyal (Mumbai South), Professionals Party of India (PPI)’s Mona Shah (Mumbai South) and Rajendra Thacker of PPI in Mumbai North.

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MNS to contest 12 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra

April 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has decided to contest 12 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, party chief Raj Thackeray announced here Monday.

Thackeray said the party will field candidates in Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Thane and all six seats in Mumbai.

Among the candidates are his sister-in-law Shalini Thackeray, who is contesting from Mumbai North-West constituency.

When asked about the remaining 36 seats in the state, he said: ‘MNS is going alone in the polls and is low on candidates and resources. Hence it was decided to contest only 25 percent of the total 48 seats in the state.’

‘We shall announce the party’s agenda and our manifesto by the weekend.’

The MNS chief claimed that the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have entered into a secret electoral pact for the next elections.

According to Thackeray, the Sena has put up ‘dummy candidates’ wherever it is contesting against the NCP, but he did not give specific examples.

Moreover, he said that in Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s videographed speech which was played out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena rally Sunday evening, the senior Thackeray did not mention the name of BJP or its prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani

‘He (Bal Thackeray) remembered and mentioned my name in the speech, but BJP and Advani were nowhere,’ he pointed out.

Thackeray said the MNS is demanding that captured Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab should be hanged publicly.

Thackeray said it was strange that the BJP, which is demanding the hanging of Afzal Guru the accused in the 2001 attack on parliament, has nominated well-known lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani to contest from Mumbai North-West constituency.

‘Mahesh’s father Ram Jethmalani has been defending Afzal all these years,’ Thackeray said.

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Raj Thackeray booked for hate speech

March 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Nashik, Mar 22 (ANI): The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday booked on charges of violating the model code of conduct and promoting enmity between groups.

Police registered a case against Raj, a day after he revived his anti-north Indian campaign at a poll rally here.

According to police officials, a case has been registered against The MNS chief at the Sarkarwada police station.

Raj has been charged under Section 153 (A) of Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of the Representative of People Act.

On March 21, Raj Thackeray had accused the Maharashtrian leaders of having ‘no affection’ for the state and urged voters to elect his party candidates to uphold the dignity of Maharashtrian people. (ANI)

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Bal Thackeray discharged from Mumbai’s Lilawati Hospital

March 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Mar 8 (ANI): Ailing Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was discharged from the Lilavati Hospital here on Sunday. He was undergoing treatment for weakness and fever.

Party sources said Thackeray was discharged at around noon, and ent directly to his residence in suburban Bandra

The 82-year-old Sena Chief was admitted to the Lilavati hospital in Bandra on February 26 after he complained of fever and weakness.

The Sena chief has been meeting visitors since February 28. They include Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

Raj Thackeray visited his uncle twice in hospital. (ANI)

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Jharkhand court warns Raj Thackeray about seizure of property

February 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ranchi, Feb 18 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, an accused in a case related to the hurting of sentiments of north Indians, was warned by a Jharkhand court that his property would be attached if he failed to appear before the court by April 2.

Judicial Magistrate Anil Kumar of the Jamshedpur District Court heard a petition filed by lawyer Sudhir Kumar Pappu that blamed Thackeray for promoting violence against North Indians in Maharashtra and issued a notice to the Maharashtra Police to act against Thackeray promptly.

The same court had earlier issued a non-bailable warrant against the MNS leader when he failed to appear in court despite a warrant being served on him.

Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Razi has permitted the prosecution of Thackeray in connection with the case. (ANI)

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Bihar all-party delegation to meet Manmohan Singh on MNS activities

October 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Oct 27: An all-party delegation headed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today to submit a joint memorandum demanding action against the “divisive forces” that attacked railway job aspirants from Bihar in Mumbai.

A delegation comprising Union Ministers, Parliamentarians and leaders of various political parties in Bihar will meet Dr. Singh at five p. m. today.

An all-party meeting on October 23 had expressed anguish over the attack on north Indian examinees by activists of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

They unanimously decided to submit a joint memorandum to Dr. Singh in this regard.

The meeting had also condemned the retaliatory attack by the students targeting government and the railway property in Bihar against ill-treatment on them by the MNS activists on October 19. (ANI)

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Raj Thackeray Let Off On Interim Bail

October 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader, Raj Thackeray, was let off on interim bail on Wednesday, after spending a night at the Manpada police station, Thane.

On Tuesday MNS workers were at their boisterous best, destroying property, indulging in arson and wreaking havoc all over the state of Maharashtra. Things calmed down a little on Wednesday when the proceedings shifted to the Kalyan court, where Mr. Thackeray was produced in relation with a case registered at the Kalyan railway police station on October 19. The allegation against him was setting off attacks on North Indian students appearing for a Railway Recruitment Board examination. The court accepted his anticipatory bail application.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Kumar Modi does not seem to be particularly happy with the ongoing. On Wednesday Modi commented that the fact that Raj Thackeray was being granted bails in all criminal cases suggests of clandestine dealing between the Maharashtra government and the Congress-led UPA government at the Center.

“It just does not pass the common sense test,” Modi said of the bails granted to Thackeray.

“They are charging him of smaller crimes in which it is comparatively easier to obtain bail. Thackeray’s actions have caused injuries to innocent people, have led to at least 3 deaths, and have put the nation’s unit under jeopardy. He should be charged with all these crimes and not just charges of vandalism and attempting to incite violence,” Modi said

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