MNS cadre hoping for clarity and answers in Raj Thackeray’s Thane rally on April 12

The MNS chief is set to hold another rally on Tuesday where the MNS members hope to get clarity on the loudspeaker diktat issued by him in a public gathering on April 3 and get answers on the party’s future strategy.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray is set to hold another public rally in the Thane district near Mumbai on April 12.

The rally named as “Uttar Rally”- one which will give answers to all - comes after a public gathering held at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park (Gudi-Padwa rally) where the MNS chief had demanded the removal of louspeakers from mosques and threatened that in case a call on the issue was not taken by the state, speakers outside mosques would play Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume.“Uttar” refers to a ritual that is performed after the death of a person.

NCP leaders, including party chief Sharad Pawar, have been critical of Raj Thackeray for his aggressive stance against the loudspeakers in mosques. Many accused the MNS chief of trying to disturb the peace of the city and state.

The response of the MNS cadres to Raj Thackeray’s call has also been lukewarm. Barring a few places in Mumbai and Nasik, there wasn’t much action anywhere on the MNS chief’s call.

ALSO READ | 'Trying to revive dead party': Aaditya Thackeray on MNS workers playing Hanuman Chalisa outside Sena HQIn Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, a MNS worker had played Hanuman Chalisa at the party office, mounting a loudspeaker on a tree. The Mumbai police were quick to react and detained the MNS worker and levied a fine of over Rs 5000. Meanwhile, on the occasion of Ram Navami, the police were again quick to react as MNS played Hanuman Chalisa outside the Shiv Sena Bhawan in Dadar.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said, “Look at who’s wanting to take action against us, against the MNS. The son of Balasahib Thackeray, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and that too for playing Hanuman Chalisa. For how long and where all will they fine us and detain us?” he said.

The biggest apparent fallout was seen in Pune where, Vasant More, the party unit chief was sacked for not following the orders of Raj Thackeray. More had said that as a representative of the people who repose their faith in him, it was difficult for him to implement the loudspeaker diktat in the civic ward. As soon as More was sacked and replaced with former corporator Sainath Babar as the new city unit president, there were offers from the NCP, Sena and BJP for More to join.