MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena founder Raj Thackeray on Sunday announced his intention to launch a revolution in the State, and show the world how great it can become.

Addressing a massive rally at Shivaji Park here, Mr. Thackeray outlined his party's vision. Stating that he believed in nationalism, he said he did not like the double-faced character of the Congress. He said people were anxious about what will happen to Hindutva. "Are you going to reject the entire Muslim community because of some bad elements?" His party flag had colours representing various religions — blue, saffron, green and white. He said his party could not have been formed without the love and support of the people.

Mr. Thackeray was critical of the Congress, the Dalit parties, the issue of renaming the Marathwada University after Dr. Ambedkar and appeasement of minorities.

Cartoon controversy

He said he had many Muslim friends but he was not going to do anything with elections in mind such as wearing caps, attending Iftar parties or visiting masjids. On the cartoons published by a Danish paper, he said he was not appeasing any community but he did not approve of the publication of cartoons on Prophet Muhammed. He said he himself was a cartoonist and cartoonists usually base their drawings on pictures. When there was no picture of the Prophet, how could the cartoon have been drawn?

False promises

Referring to the Dalit community, he said their leaders were active only during elections and made false promises of jobs and reservations. Did re-naming the Marathwada University change anything or for that matter did re-naming Victoria Terminus as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus change anything?

Cotton prices, farmers' suicides, the allocation of water and education were major issues, he said. Criticising Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, he said he was yet to hear him speak on issues related to cotton and spoke only about sugar.

Even in prosperous western Maharashtra, people were unhappy, he said. There were worries about what will happen to the "Marathi Manoos," said Mr. Thackeray. But the "Marathi Manoos" cannot develop alone and not at the cost of other communities.

Agriculture would be another focus area of the party. "I want farmers to wear jeans and T shirts and drive tractors," he said. While the party had a global vision, he would also focus on local issues such as basic amenities and jobs and form committees to deal with them.

Registration drive

In 15 to 20 days, he would start a registration drive all over the State and only then announce posts in the party. He would also focus on the problems women faced; especially in Mumbai, the issues related to women railway commuters.

He said Mumbaikars craved for open spaces. His party would not allow the sale of reserved plots for other purposes.

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