Raj Thackeray Unveils ‘Maharashtra Next’ Platform, Slams Govt on Debt, Drugs, and Decay
MNS chief Raj Thackeray launches citizen-led ‘Maharashtra Next’ initiative, blasting state government over ₹11 lakh crore debt, drug crisis, and rural neglect.
Mumbai, Maharashtra : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray has rolled out “Maharashtra Next,” a grassroots blueprint for state revival, while unleashing a blistering critique of the ruling Mahayuti alliance’s stewardship. Speaking at a Gudi Padwa rally, Thackeray spotlighted Maharashtra’s ballooning public debt, now nearing ₹11 lakh crore up from ₹2 lakh crore under former CM Prithviraj Chavan questioning where funds vanished amid touted progress. He accused authorities of law-and-order collapse, with drugs infiltrating schools and thousands of children vanishing yearly in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai alone.
Thackeray decried contractor dominance and unchecked urbanization, fueling city gridlock despite instant deliveries, while villages languish, driving desperate migration. “No polls for three years means open season for crony contracts,” he charged, vowing public input to craft “Maharashtra Next” as an alternative vision. The launch echoes Thackeray’s pattern of fiery oratory, from opposing Hindi imposition to voter list purges, positioning MNS as Marathi watchdog amid civic poll setbacks. He contrasted urban decay with rural stasis, urging a governance reset before economic implosion.
Allies like Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut have echoed calls for electoral integrity, hinting broader opposition synergy against alleged Mahayuti overreach. Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ drug data admission drew Thackeray’s ire for inaction despite awareness. Analysts see “Maharashtra Next” as Thackeray’s bid to reclaim relevance pre-2029 assembly polls, blending populism with policy critique. MNS cadres hailed it as a “Marathi dharma” revival. With state finances strained and urban-rural divides widening, Thackeray’s salvo pressures Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s coalition ahead of BMC polls. Public consultations for the platform kick off next month
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