Party chief Raj's wish fulfilled; leaders say move will increase popularity of MNS in run-up to Feb civic polls
Party chief Raj's wish fulfilled; leaders say move will increase popularity of MNS in run-up to Feb civic polls
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| Image-building: The inauguration of the MNS workers' union at the Sassoon hospital. Pic/Vivek Sabnis |
A Day before the foundation day of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the efforts of its chief Raj Thackeray to form a workers' union at the Sassoon General Hospital bore fruit with the official launch of the MNS workers' union at the 150-year-old premier healthcare facility run by the government.
The MNS recently established unions at three hospitals, Hardikar Hospital in Shivajinagar, Sahyadri Hospital on Karve Road and Aditya Birla Hospital in Chinchwad.
Sixth unionThe MNS union formed yesterday became the sixth union at Sassoon.
"We are making our impact felt by solving many pertinent issues of workers, from doctors to ward boys, and even patients at the hospital," said Nandkishor Talavdekar, secretary, MNS Working Unions.
Indirectly referring to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections early next year, Talavdekar expected the participation of MNS corporators in the MNS union at Sassoon to tackle relevant issues.
Corporators Ravindra Dhangekar, Babu Vagaskar, Kishor Shinde and MNS women's wing chief Poonam Kulkarni were present at the inauguration of the Sassoon union.u00a0
"Raj Thackeray was very interested in starting the Sassoon hospital union and it will certainly help create a good identity for our party in the near future," said Vagaskar, MNS corporator from Koregaon Park.
MNS city unit general secretary Anil Shidore claimed the Sassoon union would help the party win many seats in the PMC election, saying workers' unions of the party in Mumbai had helped the MNS win from many wards in the civic elections there.
"Today the situation is such that no party can form its government without taking cognisance of the MNS," said Shidore.
Dhangekar said the party was aiming for 35 seats in the PMC election as against eight in the last election.
"The Sassoon hospital union will certainly help improve our public image, especially for the coming PMC elections," said Dhangekar.
