Maharashtra politics going the way of UP, Bihar: MNS prez Raj Thackeray

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has appealed to youth of the state to stake their claim in reviving politics in Maharastra, or risk letting it go the way of “Uttar Pradesh and Bihar”.

In an interview on Tuesday, the MNS chief called the state of politics here “dirty” and jibed that he would refrain from commenting on the current political scenario in his profile as a cartoonist.

“A large section of society has gone out of politics. They got tired of the situation here and settled in other countries after seeing better jobs there. In my mind, they should come back. These things should be taken care of.

Otherwise, the matter will get out of control.

The political situation of Maharashtra will be similar to that of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,” he said.

“Looking at the current politics in Maharashtra, I feel that I am a misfit for politics. I don’t want to say anything as a cartoonist looking at the current situation. Today’s political situation in Ma- harashtra is very dirty,” he added. He also returned to the issue of loudspeakers in mosques--an issue that seemed to have quieted down in recent months.

“Those who speak about Hindutva, should also show their Hinduism once. If Saudi (Arabia) can stop azaan on loudspeakers, why can’t (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi stop them here. I will present a detailed position on the matter tomorrow,” he said.