MUMBAI: A latecomer to social media, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray launched his Facebook page Thursday and decided to work up a buzz about it by making a sensational statement.
Addressing his party workers who gathered for the momentous occasion, Raj Thackeray said the central government is conspiring with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim to bring him back to India just so that it can claim bragging rights.
“Dawood is in incapacitated by illness and wants to come back to India to die here. He has struck a deal with the central government," Raj Thackeray said.
The MNS chief said he gets to know such things happening in the inner recesses of the central government. “I get to know things that are going on in the government. I will expose such things on social media," Thackeray said and proceeded to launch his official Facebook page and a WhatsApp number on which grassroots party workers can be in touch with him.
Raj Thackeray plans to used the social media platfoirms to connect with people through his cartoons, opinions and policies.
"Dawood wants to come back. And Narendra Modi will show it as his triumph. The BJP's social media bandwagon will say their government has done what Congress governments couldn't do in so many years. They will boast that their Prime Minister has guts. They will take the credit and win the elections," Thackeray said at a grand ceremony at Ravindra Natya Mandir organized to mark the launch of the MNS’ social media initiative.
Thackeray also criticized Narendra Modi’s bullet train project, saying it is was aimed at separating Mumbai from the rest of Maharashtra. “I had praised Modi once. But I urge people to forget all that," Thackeray said, in a reference to his proximity to Modi prior to the 2014 general election.