The late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray never contested an election. Raj's cousin Uddhav, who now leads the Sena, also hasn't, till date.
Raj announced his decision at a well-attended party conclave on Saturday, thus sending Maharashtra's political mercury soaring to a new high.
"I want to tell you something. I will contest the assembly election. If people of Maharashtra repose their faith in me, I will lead the state," he said amidst prolonged applause from party workers who were assembled at the Somaiya ground in Sion.
Thackeray heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the spectacular poll triumph of the BJP and its allies was made possible by Modi alone and no other leader. "I am confident Modi will take best decisions which will serve the nation's interests," Raj said.
According to observers, by positioning himself as the chief ministerial candidate, Thackeray has, in one fell swoop, set the poll agenda for October, hurled a formidable challenge at his political rivals, especially the Shiv Sena, and dismissed the popular notion that the Thackerays are adept at enjoying power while shunning the responsibility that executive office entails in a democracy.
Inquiries revealed that Thackeray was prompted to contest the assembly polls following a sample survey report which stated that the MNS' stock has been dwindling, but the party chief enjoys excellent ratings in Maharashtra.
The survey report further said the MNS' prospects would certainly look up if the party president announces himself as CM pick and contests Vidhan Sabha polls, sources said.
A key party strategist said, "We will contest the assembly election with Rajsaheb as our 'chehera' (face). This will help rejuvenate the party to a great extent."
In his 25-minute speech, Raj lent a healing touch to his followers who have been in low spirits after the poll debacle. "The elections were held under unprecedented circumstances... Voters would tell the polling officials that they wanted to vote for Modi... It is difficult to analyse this election," he said, in a clear indication that he was in no mood to dissect the poll results.
Yet, Raj squarely blamed the Congress party for its inept and lacklustre poll campaign. Pouring ridicule on Rahul Gandhi, he said the Congress vice-president was earnestly implementing Mahatma Gandhi's 'Dismantle the Congress Party' advice to Congressmen after Independence.
Thackeray revealed that he was not keen on the MNS contesting the Lok Sabha polls. "But, I had a meeting with Nitin Gadkari. Also, there are differing ideas and thoughts in a political party. One thing led to another, and I decided to put up candidates for the polls."
Thackeray reminded the gathering that even the BJP was reduced to a tally of two Lok Sabha seats following Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984. "No reason for you to lose heart. Indira Gandhi too was trounced by a man called Rajnarain in 1977," he pointed out.
The MNS chief rebuked some of his party seniors for not putting their shoulder to the wheel during electioneering. "Some of our seniors put up their feet on the table and relaxed. I am going to take them to task soon."
Raj blamed the MNS bigwigs in Nashik for the party's dismal poll performance. "Party leaders failed to tell the Nashik voters the good work done by the MNS in the civic corporation," he said. The Nashik municipal body, which is under the MNS, earned an additional Rs 200 crore by way of octroi. But, party functionaries didn't tell people about this, he added.
Thackeray advised his followers to refrain from violence and vandalism. "You must not resort to violence for your personal greed or gain. But don't be silent if injustice is being done to Maharashtra," he said.
Referring to the latest case of vandalism by party activists in a Dombivli school, Thackeray pointed out that the school administration was turning down seats to local inhabitants. After the MNS stir, the school authorities decided to scrap the management quota, he said. Thackeray criticized the media for projecting his party in a poor light.
The MNS chief refrained from being critical of the Shiv Sena or his estranged cousin, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Raj remained mum on the ongoing Sena-BJP spat on allocation of portfolio to the Sena and re-working of the seat-sharing formula between the two parties.
Thackeray also asked MNS workers to bring down by Sunday all the hoardings, put up in several parts of the city, on the party jamboree.
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