The Hindu : Front Page : “Why can’t locals get preference?”

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Thursday, Apr 16, 2009
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“Why can’t locals get preference?”

Only when I speak up for Marathi, I
am [called] narrow-minded or parochial.

Raj Thackeray

Much was expected of Raj Thackeray, nephew of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, when he left the party to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in March, 2006. In his first speech at Shivaji Park while launching his new party he promised an inclusive agenda. Later the party focussed exclusively on the “sons of the soil,” taking a leaf out of his parent party, the Shiv Sena. Unlike the Sena his target was the hordes of North Indian migrants to the State. His brazen comments and the actions of his supporters have led to his arrest and myriad cases have been filed against him, the latest one in Nashik, where he launched his election campaign. Mr. Raj Thackeray, 40, remains undeterred and ready to face jail for the “Marathi manoos” who he feels have been neglected by the Sena. Nine months after the party was formed, it contested all the local bodies elections in the State, winning 45 corporation seats of which seven are in Mumbai, nine in Pune and 12 in Nashik. In an interview to MEENA MENON, Mr. Thackeray says he wants to focus on building his strength in the Lok Sabha elections by fielding 12 candidates in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Aurangabad. He does not want to contest the elections saying, “who will campaign for the party then?” He believes his party will open its account this Lok Sabha and wants to create a pressure group of MPs from Maharashtra who will take up the State’s cause.

What are the main issues in this election?

Marathi will be the core issue and along with this the role of an MP. What is the work of an MP? It is not building toilets and roads. That is the work of the city corporation and the government. What are our MPs doing with their local area funds? They have Rs. 10 crores each and they could do some really serious things like building educational institutions.

How successful is your Marathi campaign?

Can’t you see the success? Those who say Marathi is their issue did nothing for over 40 years. I did it in one month. All shops have put up nameplates in Marathi. You should understand that I am not against any other language. In India, language is your identity and our country is constitutionally divided on the basis of language. In every State people are proud of their mother tongue. Only when I speak up for Marathi, I am [called] narrow-minded or parochial.

What do you propose the government should do about the influx into the city?

The government should seal the corporation lands and allow no one to set up illegal houses. Where will all these people stay then? People come here because there is a message being sent out that they are welcome. Why don’t you send another message — that people are not welcome here. What is wrong in local people getting preference? If locals get the jobs then people won’t come here looking for work.

But most of the jobs which migrants do are in the unorganised sector where there is no reservation?

When people migrate for work, they do so for their livelihoods. People go to the U.S. but do they go there and create political constituencies? Now there are no jobs, Indians are coming back. It’s not a dharamshala. I agree people have specialised skills, for instance Rajasthanis make good snacks. But I don’t see Tamilian politicians and those from Punjab coming here and addressing rallies. Only these people do it. They have slogans which make their intentions very clear.

What is your plan for the Lok Sabha?

I don’t want to say anything. I will do it. I am confident we will open our account in this general election. We have a good chance in all the seats we are contesting.

You have been arrested many times…

That’s inevitable. I am only asking for the implementation of the law. If people come here from outside, there is a rule saying they have to report to the police station if they stay for more than seven days. Why is this not being enforced? Again the law says shops and establishments have to put up signboards in Marathi. This was not done. What am I saying — only that the law must be implemented.

Will you support a Marathi Prime Minister?

When people agitate for Marathi or local people, it is the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) which has the home department which beats us up and arrests us. But when it comes to Mr. Sharad Pawar for PM you can pull the Marathi card?

As a regional party what is your main focus?

I am not interested in national politics or leadership. I want my MPs to take up Maharashtra’s issues which no one is doing. Mumbai pays a lot of tax — what are we getting in return? In Mumbai, skywalks are being built for pedestrians who have no place to walk because of illegal structures. Instead of tackling illegal construction you build skywalks?

Will MNS affect the Sena’s chances and divide the Marathi votes?

I have not set up MNS to eat into other people’s votes. I don’t think the votes will be divided. And why only the Marathi vote? I will get everyone’s votes.

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