Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s rally on October 5 to protest poor infrastructure of railway stations in the aftermath of Elphinstone Road stampede could revive fortunes of the party, which is struggling to maintain its existence in the city.
In a horrific incident, 23 people were killed, and 38 were injured in a stampede on a bridge at Elphinstone Road railway station on Friday last week. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has threatened to undertake a rally in front of the Western Railway headquarters in Churchgate on October 5, questioning the poor infrastructure of railway stations. The party workers feel that their leader has hit the right-button by deciding to agitate on an important issue, which is connected to lakhs of common Mumbaikars.
“Despite our several requests, Rajsaheb deliberately declined to visit the KEM Hospital, where stampede victims were being treated, saying that it would cause an unnecessary disturbance in their treatment. He said he would make his stand clear only in the press conference. The views aired by him in the conference have received tremendous support from the public,” said a senior MNS leader.
The party is leaving no stone unturned to make the rally a success. On Tuesday, party workers travelled in local trains appealing people to participate in the rally. “We travelled in local trains appealing commuters to join the rally. We also asked them to send their problems on the email id connectrajthackeray@gmail.com so that Rajsaheb could raise them before the railway officials,” said party leader Sandeep Deshpande.
On Wednesday, party workers will hit various railway stations in the city garnering public support for the rally. The party has held shakha-wise meetings to ensure that rally is well-attended. Pamphlets have also been distributed to create awareness about the rally, he added.
“There is marked enthusiasm in party workers as after a long time Rajsaheb is going to head a rally. Activists from other cities are also coming to participate in the rally,” said a party official.
“People are disillusioned with the BJP and Shiv Sena, as they have failed to deliver the results. The Congress and NCP too have lost their credibility. In the backdrop of this, MNS is the only party, which has taken up people’s issues. Thursday’s rally could be a turning point for the party to restore its pride,” he added.
