MUMBAI: Another chapter of cousin rivalry is set to be written in the book of the Thackeray clan, with the MNS mulling over initiating its president Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray into active politics to take on Shiv Sena scion Aditya Thackeray.
An announcement regarding this is expected on Friday at a conclave of the students’ wing of the party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS), in Matunga here. Raj is going to address the conclave.
Raj believes the students’ wing could give Amit a good platform to mix with students of his age and project himself as their leader. In 2010, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had done the same with his son Aditya, who is now leading the Shiv Sena’s youth wing, the Yuva Sena. Aditya has a major say in Shiv Sena affairs as well.
Amit, 20, has been accompanying Raj at the party’s important meetings for last two weeks. He was present at a meeting of district contact chiefs at the party headquarters last week.
“We were surprised to see Amit there. We had no idea that he was going to be present there. He sat beside his father, listened to our discussion carefully but didn’t say anything,” an MNS leader said. Also, Raj had asked Amit to attend the interviews of candidates aspiring to be chiefs of party units. “Amit will not be given any post for some time. He will be asked to learn the basics under seniors’ guidance,” the leader said. MNVS president Aditya Shirodkar said he was unaware of any move regarding Amit’s entry into active politics. “Raj saheb had asked me to hold a conclave of workers from Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nasik. He has not told me what the conclave’s agenda will be,” Shirodkar said.
Amit, who completed graduation in commerce from R A Potdar College, has been campaigning for MNS candidates since 2009.