Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday questioned the central government’s lack of support for Iran.
The MNS chief was addressing a large gathering in Mumbai on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the MNS.
Raj Thackeray, while expressing his views on the ongoing West Asia conflict, said that Iran has been a long‑standing ally of India, particularly on the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir issue, and warned that failing to stand by a trusted partner would lead to serious diplomatic and economic consequences for India.
He said much of India’s oil comes from Iran and that the country had supplied it in rupees.
The MNS chief said, “When Iran was attacked, our Prime Minister did not issue a single statement of support. Even after the passing of Khamenei, there was no official message of condolence or protest, as per IANS.
Addressing the public during his Gudi Padwa speech at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, Thackeray described the milestone as a “divine omen” and expressed confidence that his party would eventually come to power to restore Maharashtra’s “lost glory”.
In a wide-ranging address, the MNS chief also spoke about the state’s rising debt and deteriorating urban infrastructure and sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy on the Iran‑Israel conflict.
Raj Thackeray speaks about Maharashtra’s economy.
This was his first speech after the MNS’ rout in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, despite joining hands with his cousin and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on issues of Marathi pride and safeguarding the interests of the Marathi manoos.
Turning to domestic matters, the MNS chief also slammed the state government over Maharashtra’s financial condition.
Thackeray pointed out that state debt was around Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014 under Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and has now risen to Rs 11 lakh crore.
He asserted, “The Chief Minister talks about a 3‑trillion‑dollar economy and development, but the state is sinking in debt,” as cited by IANS.
Criticising large‑scale infrastructure projects such as the Coastal Road, Raj claimed that they were not designed for ordinary citizens but to enable “outsiders” and major industrialists like Adani to take over land in Maharashtra.
He further described Maharashtra’s urban centres as “collapsed” and “formless”, saying permissions for skyscrapers were being granted indiscriminately while basic issues such as traffic congestion remained unaddressed.
Raj Thackerya urges youth to come out of digital distractions
While addressing the rally in Dadar, he also asserted, “Come out of Instagram reels. The government wants you distracted by IPL, films, and social media so that you don’t take to the streets to question them. You are rotting while expressing anger only on mobile screens, as per IANS.
Despite electoral setbacks, Thackeray insisted that the MNS was the only party truly standing for Maharashtra. He declared with conviction that the party would one day come to power to reclaim the state’s prestige.
(With inputs from IANS)
