MUMBAI: After initial reluctance, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has finally introduced his son Amit to the public life. In his maiden innings, Amit has raised the issue of saving trees in the city.
Amit gave a memorandum to Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte attracting his attention to the ‘silent killing’ of trees in Mumbai. Now, he has participated in a protest against the proposed cutting of 2,500 trees in the city’s largest remaining green belt Aarey Milk Colony.
During his meeting with Kunte, Amit maintained that some anti-social elements were killing trees using acid. He suggested the municipal corporation stop the trees’ silent killing by using the ‘Bangalore Bug’. He also demonstrated how the bugs eat the acidic elements and save the tree’s roots from weakening. Early this week, Amit joined the protest at Aarey Milk Colony with mother Sharmila. Their party is opposing the state government’s plan to build a car shed for the Metro in the area by cutting trees.
Two months ago, Raj had announced he will not “launch” Amit into politics as he was not a “rocket”. However, Raj has no objection to Amit’s activities in public interest. Raj has strictly warned Amit against speaking to the media about his future plans.
A commerce graduate, Amit, 23, had shown interest in working with the party’s students wing Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena. He had begun attending the organisation’s meetings. However, Raj asked him to concentrate on a specific issue before getting involved in direct politics.
Amit has been campaigning for the party in various polls for five years. This is for the first time he has independently taken up some issue, albeit with Raj’s backing. “Amit is a nice boy. He is a quick learner. He speaks less when his father is around but quickly understands the subject,” said an MNVS official.
A senior MNS leader, recalled that Amit had shown interest in politics long back. “Saheb wanted him to complete his studies first. He was not keen on Amit joining politics as he felt he was already a magnet for the youth and did not need someone to take up the responsibility. The Assembly poll results made him rethink,” the leader said.
Young voters, who had voted for MNS in 2009, stood behind BJP in the 2014 Assembly polls. As a result, the MNS drew a duck in the polls. BJP spokesperson Avdhoot Wagh said Amit’s protest was like a picnic in the forest. Amit’s cousin Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray has already set his foot in politics.
Raj had named his son Amit after his role model actor Amitabh Bachchan.