MUMBAI:
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray seems to have found a new
issue to further his Marathi agenda.
The MNS leader has now directed
cable operators in the state to prominently telecast Marathi news channels and
shows, especially 'Saam', a newly launched Marathi news channel owned by Sharad
Pawar's nephew Abhijeet Pawar.
Raj told TOI that he has given cable
operators two days' time to change their approach towards Marathi. "If they fail
to do so, our party will deal them in the style we are known for," he
threatened. "Even if the offender happens to be a Marathi, he will not be spared
by our party." he
added.
Interestingly, the
threat comes a day after the MNS chief met managing director of Sakaal group,
Abhijeet, on Tuesday. The six-hour-long marathon meeting was held at Raj
Thackeray's residence in Dadar.
Like the meeting between Bal
Thackeray and Sharad Pawar sometime ago, this meeting too raised speculation in
political circles.
When
contacted, Abhijeet Pawar said it was a personal meeting and would not like to
reveal anything to media. However, Raj Thackeray said, "The channel is owned by
a Marathi-speaking family and I will extend all my support to a Marathi
entrepreneur who has abilities similar to media baron Rupert
Murdoch."
One of the prominent
cable operators in the city, Ganesh Naidu was not available for
comment.
Meanwhile, chief
minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has directed police officials to take stern action
against people vandalising shops for not having put up Marathi signboards.
"It is Brihanmumbai Municipal
Corporations's job to ensure that the rules (on signboards) are followed. No
party has been entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing the law. Those not
following the rules as well as those running riot will be dealt with strictly,"
he said.