Raj Thackeray

MNS chief Raj Thackeray continued his diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, and appealed to people to ensure that they did not remain in power after the Lok Sabha election.

Addressing a poll rally in Solapur district of Maharashtra, he called the prime minister "shameless" for seeking votes in the name of jawans without acknowledging their sacrifice.

No case was registered against the party workers whereas the victim was booked over defamation charges.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray also said that importance of the Congress is realised only when the party is not in power.

Slamming the BJP-led government, Thackeray asked how was India was in a position to fight Pakistan when the Centre was "begging" for money from the Reserve Bank of India.

Raj Thackeray would make his political position clear on March 19 during a public meeting.

Raj Thackeray, who is battling for political survival in Maharashtra, clarified that no talks underway with any political party for upcoming elections.

The meeting between Pawar and the MNS chief, who have in the past engaged in verbal sparring, took place in Dadar in central Mumbai.

The MNS chief was speaking to onion farmers at Kalwan in Nashik district of Maharashtra, a major onion-producing hub. "If ministers do not listen to you or if they do not fulfil your demands, throw onions at them," he said.

The MNS chief said the poll results were a precursor to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections due next year.

Thackeray, known for his strident, son-of-the-soil rhetoric, addressed a rally organised by the Uttar Bharatiya Manch, an organisation of North Indians living in Mumbai.

A spokesperson of the Anil Ambani group, when contacted, said the group has no project in Yavatmal district.

Thackeray described Singh, who had served as the prime minister for two consecutive terms between 2004 and 2014, as a leader who "pioneered the country to a path of economic reforms and liberalisation".

Raj Thackeray also attacked the Shiv Sena which didn't support the bandh ignoring the Congress' request.

Claiming "victory" for the "owner-operators" of Uber cabs in Mumbai and other places, the MNS, in a statement here this evening, said the Uber management, during their talks with the police and the wing's representatives earlier in the day, has given a written commitment on meeting the various demands.

"This government is incapable of doing anything," the MNS chief said, addressing thousands of farmers who rested at Somaiya Ground in Sion area after reaching the city this evening.

Thackeray was speaking at the 'Aaj Tak Manthan' event here organised by Aaj Tak television channel on the theme 'Kahan Gaya Vipaksh?'

While Raj Thackeray is yet to arrive for the rally, hoardings and banners against the much-hyped Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project have been put up at various places.

The MNS leader, who has in the past stoked controversies with his anti-migrant rhetoric, told reporters at his residence Krishna Kunj in Dadar, "There has been a collapse of infrastructure facilities due to the migrant influx from other regions."

Within a week of launching his Facebook page, Thackeray has garnered 6.45 lakh followers. He decided to join the social media platform in view of 'misleading information' being spread among the people.