Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party is strident about the demand for a separate State of Vidarbha, its long time ally, the Shiv Sena, is gearing itself to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of Maharashtra with a blood donation drive, fireworks and a musical extravaganza.
Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray held a lavish press conference at the newly opened Trident Hotel in the glitzy Bandra Kurla complex here on Saturday to announce a Garja Jayjaykar , a musical function, on May 1. It was on May 1, 1960 that the State was formed. The event would feature Lata Mangeshkar, Hridayanath Mangeshkar and others.
On April 25, a massive blood donation drive would be held on the NSE grounds at Goregaon.
Mr. Thackeray called upon all political parties to take part in the festivities, and said politics should not come in the way. He refused to comment on the issue of Vidarbha statehood, which the Sena has been opposing, and said he would speak on it later.
Everyone invited
Asked whether the Sena would invite other stars from Bollywood like Shah Rukh Khan, Mr. Thackeray said the events were open to everyone. “I am inviting every one through the media.”
Sania issue
When questioned on the marriage of Sania Mirza, Mr. Thackeray said the party's mouthpiece, Saamna , had already made clear its stand on the issue, and the State's golden jubilee was more important than the tennis star.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is also planning a series of events, starting with food festivals and ending with fireworks, to commemorate Maharashtra Day.
