To mark the 20th anniversary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), party chief Raj Thackeray chose the historic ramparts of Raigad Fort on Monday to launch a fresh membership drive. Invoking the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Thackeray called on his cadres to shift their focus towards grassroots expansion, urging them to move beyond traditional party circles and engage directly with the public in the state's busiest hubs.
Addressing a gathering of the party faithful, Thackeray noted that there is a significant appetite among the youth and urban voters to move from being mere supporters to active participants. He directed the workers to put up registration stalls at schools, colleges, and temples, and at the markets to capitalize on this interest. "Many people don't just want a membership card, they want to be part of the movement," he said, adding that the key to the success of the campaign would be personal contact.
The timing of the foundation day also holds a particular significance for the MNS this year. Thackeray pointed out a "remarkable coincidence" regarding the party's upcoming Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park. The gathering is scheduled for 19 March— the exact same date on which the MNS held its very first public rally two decades ago.
As the party prepares for its annual show of strength in Mumbai, Thackeray appealed to supporters from across Maharashtra to descend on Shivaji Park next week. With the membership drive now in full swing, the 19 March rally is expected to serve as a litmus test for the party's renewed organisational push ahead of the state's shifting political landscape.
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