Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray criticized the Central government for not backing Iran, a long-time ally of India, especially on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He highlighted the significance of Iran as a major oil supplier to India, providing oil in Rupees. Thackeray expressed disappointment over the lack of support from India’s Prime Minister during Iran’s challenging times.
Thackeray, speaking at the Gudi Padwa event at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, marked the 20th anniversary of MNS. He expressed optimism about his party’s future success in restoring Maharashtra’s former glory. Thackeray also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy regarding the Iran-Israel conflict and addressed various issues like Maharashtra’s escalating debt and urban infrastructure decay.
In his address, Thackeray slammed the state government for the soaring debt levels in Maharashtra, which have increased significantly over the years. He pointed out the alarming rise in state debt from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 11 lakh crore presently. Thackeray described Maharashtra’s urban areas as chaotic and criticized the government for neglecting fundamental problems like traffic congestion while granting permissions for skyscrapers.
Thackeray urged the youth to detach from digital distractions, emphasizing the importance of questioning the government rather than being engrossed in entertainment like IPL, films, and social media. He shared a lesson from his late uncle Balasaheb Thackeray, highlighting the essence of delivering meaningful messages to the public. Despite recent electoral setbacks, Thackeray affirmed MNS’s commitment to Maharashtra and its aspiration to lead the state in the future.
Raj Thackeray unveiled the “Maharashtra Next” website, a platform aimed at gathering ideas for the state’s development. The website, an extension of his 2014 “Blueprint” for Maharashtra, covers various sectors like infrastructure, social welfare, economy, and culture. Thackeray emphasized the platform’s bilingual accessibility in Marathi and English, underscoring its role in shaping Maharashtra’s future.
