Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray on Saturday appealed to the people of the state to 'vote for change' and bring about a political revolution during the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Without losing a moment in overdose of festival pleasantries, Raj Thackeray donned his usual stern countenance and lectured the masses on sticking to the same old political parties or leaders rather than a change of guard.
"On the day of elections you drop your weapon… The powerful vote. You think this one is from my caste, that one is from this community, or he is my acquaintance. Thereafter for the next five years you keep abusing those very people you have chosen… The state doesn't benefit from this. Why can't you use the weapon on polling day instead of wasting your vote," asked Raj Thackeray irately.
The MNS, which probably goes it alone in the state polls, is mired in the theme of 'Abhi Nahi to Kabhi Nahi (Now or Never)' calling for a 'revolution in the election', in a plea almost bordering on desperation as the 18-year-old party bids for power.
"This Dussehra festival is very important… The elections will come soon thereafter. If you remain complacent again, as in the past, it will not do. They keep insulting you, your votes," said Raj Thackeray.
They will make tall claims of the development and progress gained so far, while taking the masses for granted," MNS chief said, taking a jibe at the series of Dussehra rallies lined up today in the state.
"They will speak tall of roads, bridges, flyovers or how everyone has got mobiles, television sets, etc… Mind you… these are only instruments and aren't development. The 'real progress' should be there in the minds of people and the society around us…" asked Raj Thackeray.
Despite having disappointed Raj Thackeray in the earlier elections time and again, he said, "I still do not see any anger in you…You keep voting for the same people again and again who have looted you continuously. They keep betraying you repeatedly."
He appealed to the people "not to let the coming elections go waste and retaliate strongly", seeking an opportunity for the MNS that he founded in March 2006 after he quit the (undivided) Shiv Sena.
Not taking any specific names, the estranged cousin of Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, the MNS supremo alleged that "all political parties have betrayed the people all these years, and now is the time to display your anger".
"You have given a chance to one and all but they have disappointed you… I request that you provide us with one chance to serve you. I have a dream for this state… We shall make a Maharashtra that the whole world will envy," declared Raj Thackeray, whose MNS has a solitary MLA in the outgoing House.
Several Dussehra rallies are lined up across the state during the auspicious festival day.
Apart from the podcast by Raj Thackeray today and a rally on Sunday, there was a traditional Dussehra address by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur; this afternoon, it is scheduled for a meeting for Bharatiya Janata Party's Pankaja Munde along with her cousin and Nationalist Congress Party Minister Dhananjay Munde in Beed. Shiv Sena chief and CM Eknath Shinde and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray will have the SS(UBT) rally in Mumbai; while Shivba Sanghatana leader and Maratha quota crusader Manoj Jarange-Patil will hold a separate rally in Beed today.
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