Raj does a Rahul in Sahakarnagar

At 12 noon on Saturday at Shinde High School in Sahakarnagar,a crowd eagerly waited for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. As the time passed,some suspected that he would give them a ditch since the public meeting was not prescheduled. But he came. His four-minute speech was even compared to Rahul Gandhi-both in time and the way he pulled the crowd.

According to the schedule declared by the MNS,Raj was to come to Parvati constituency only to inaugurate MNS candidate Shivaji Gadade’s office. However,his party workers insisted on him holding a public meeting,as Raj was to conduct a rally at Ambegaon not far from Sahakarnagar.

“We had very little time to arrange the rally,and we managed to organise it on the Shinde High School ground. We were not sure how much crowd would gather as the timing was odd,at 12 noon,” said a party worker.

However,over 3,000 people gathered on a even a short notice to watch and hear Raj. He came around 1.15 pm. Even though the speech was short,the crowd was happy. “We may not vote for MNS candidate,but Raj’s charisma cannot be discarded. In fact,that has brought us here to witness the rally,” said a lady attending the rally.

Raj’s speech was only an appeal. “If you want change,believe in me and give me a chance,” he said.