×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Sena chief vents ire on Marathi manoos

Last Updated 24 October 2009, 19:14 IST

 “It is not outsiders, but Maharashtirans themselves who have stabbed me in the back,” Thackeray, 85, wrote in an editorial in his party mouthpiece Saamna, commenting upon the Sena’s debacle in Mumbai and elsewhere.

 Thackeray was truly furious at what he perceives as a betrayal by the Marathi manoos, courtesy the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by his estranged nephew Raj.
 Quoting an English newspaper headline “MNS gives Cong Raj a hand”, the Sena chief said: “This sums it all.” Thackeray wrote: “There is an evil spirit that separates me from you (Marathi people).” He added: “I don’t hope even this writing will influence your thinking. In fact, I have lost faith in everything, including the Maharashtrians and God. I...have no desire to hide the truth and indulge in self-deception.”

 He wondered why the ‘Marathi manoos’, who turn to the Shiv Sena to serve his interests in all walks of life, failed to vote for the party.

The Sena, which ruled the state in alliance with the BJP from 1995 to 1999, finished fourth, winning just 44 of the 169 seats it contested.

Citing the success of regional parties such as the AIADMK and the DMK in Tamil Nadu, and that of Narendra Modi and Naveen Patnaik in Gujarat and Orissa, respectively, Thackeray said: “It seems that the Marathi people still have not got wiser, and their minds are dead.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 24 October 2009, 05:33 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT