New Delhi: Several workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have tendered their resignations as a mark of protest following their party leader Raj Thackeray's declaration of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra.
According to PTI, among those who have stepped down is MNS general secretary Kirtikumar Shinde, who resorted to Facebook to announce his decision. In a post shared on Wednesday, Shinde wrote that MNS chief Thackeray had previously taken a firm stance against PM Modi and the BJP in 2019.
“Today, after five years, Raj Saheb has changed his political role at the most crucial moment in the history of the country. Political analysts will tell how wrong he is and how right. “Nowadays leaders can play the political role they want, whenever they want. But the fighters (a reference to party workers) who believe in their thoughts are crushed. What about that,” he questioned in the post.
Gudi Padwa Rally
During his annual Gudi Padwa rally on Tuesday, Thackeray announced his unequivocal backing for PM Modi and the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the NCP under Ajit Pawar.
Formed in 2006, the MNS had previously supported Modi's candidacy for the PM's post in 2014. However, Thackeray, renowned for his fiery rhetoric, had become a vocal critic in 2019, lambasting PM Modi's policies. His recent endorsement of the prime minister comes just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Additionally, Mihir Davte and members of MNS' student wing in Dombivali, located in the outskirts of Mumbai, also resigned from the party, citing Thackeray's "inconsistent" stances.
Davte stated that they left the party in protest after Thackeray announced his support to PM Modi. “We found it difficult to cope with the changing stances of Raj Saheb. The difference of opinion over Raj saheb's decision has also led to disagreements among the workers, so it is better to part ways,” he said.
He further noted that the party's changing positions had made it difficult to engage with constituents, saying that while some members remained silent, they were unhappy with Thackeray's decision. Raj Thackeray's announcement came after he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah last month.
The 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra are scheduled to be contested in five phases between April 19 and May 20, with vote counting slated for June 4.