BMC Election: Metro will derail Marathi manoos' welfare, says Raj Thackeray

MNS president Raj Thackeray at his residence Krishna Kunj in Dadar yesterday PicsPradeep DhivarFor Raj Thackeray the Marathi manoos always gets the short end of the stick The MNS president yesterday lashed out at development works planned for Mumbai claiming that they do nothing for the welfare of MarathisAlso read BMC Election Raj Thackeray falls back on Marathi manoos vs outsiders tiradeAttributing ulterior motives to the Metros alignment and the governments affordable housing plan he told reporters at his residence mdash Krishna Kunj at Shivaji Park mdash that while the Metro will benefit only a particular community housing will become unaffordable to the common man especially the Marathi manoosThe cost of real estate projects along the Metro will escalate making homes unaffordable for the aam aadmi and the Marathi manoos The development agenda is nothing but a move to ensure the further downsizing of Marathis so that the BJP can execute its ideology of smaller states which includes separating Mumbai from Maharashtra he saidAware that his view would sit not well with many especially the working class that is dependent on public transport Thackeray clarified that he does not oppose development per se But the ongoing development planned by the BJP government has a hidden agenda I am against such dirty politicsRaj Thackeray with son Amit daughter Urvashi and wife Sharmila at their Shivaji Park residence on Sunday PicPradeep DhivarReiterating that the Shiv SenaBJP misrule has been the key reason behind Mumbaikars substandard lives the MNS chief urged people to give him singlehanded power in the BMC election to change the face of MumbaiThe MNS was voted to power in Nashik and people are witnessing the difference there Here too if voted to power there are many things that one can do But it needs political will and vision There are missing in the current crop of politicians who are busy milking MumbaiVote rightAsked what he expects to be the outcome of the BMC election he refused to comment I dont take questions based on ifs and buts he said and again urged voters to seal their fates with their franchiseOn Mumbais dismal track record on polling days mdash the 2012 civic election saw a voter turnout of only around 45 per cent mdash he said People should come out an vote if they want change Else politicians who dont care for Mumbai will continue to win electoral battles and make their lives more miserable