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MNS cadres to launch ‘Hatt Puja’ programme today

Special Correspondent

To celebrate their leader Raj Thackeray’s birthday

“Our target is encroachment of footpaths”
Next fortnight will see some action, says leader

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) cadres will celebrate their leader Raj Thackeray’s birthday on Saturday by launching a “Hatt Puja” programme.

This is a take off on the “Chhat Puja” performed by North Indians, which has become the bone of contention between the MNS and the migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had threatened to come here for “Chhat Puja” celebrations later this year.

Shirish Parkar of the MNS said that while on Saturday the party workers would only meet Mr. Thackeray and celebrate his birthday, the next fortnight would see some action. “Our main target is the encroachment of footpaths and unauthorised hutments,” he said.

The MNS workers are expected to go and get rid of people from the footpaths and the huts.

While all those who hawk goods on the footpath or who live in unauthorised slums are not migrants from the North, Mr. Parkar said that about 15 per cent, who are local, would also suffer. “Footpaths are for taxpayers and the MNS is going to do something about it,” he said.

The programme is yet to be firmed up but the MNS seems to be not going back from its anti-North Indian stand.

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