Joshi imparts advice to party members for coming elections

And leave the officials to us (senior leaders). None of you should misbehave with Government officials, Joshi explained painfully to the activists, who had recently condemned the officialdom forcefully for red tapism. Joshi, along with the Chief Minister, Narayan Rane, was one among the audience, when these party activists were airing their views from the dias.

And before he uttered his next commandment, Joshi, with all his knowledge of a Shiv Sainik, declared, “I know you will find it difficult to obey this one, and it will please you (to) no end, but bear in mind, you are not to speak ill of any community in your public speeches.”

But what concerned Joshi the most was the falling morale of the Sainiks, largely due to the statements from Opposition leaders. “Take care, in the coming days, that you do not begin to believe what our rivals say about our leaders and the Government.” He added that at some point, party members may fall prey to opposition propaganda and start to doubt the functioning of their own leaders. “Ensure that your confidence is sky high,” he advised.

Earlier, cricket found its way on the election agenda of the Shiv Sena, when one of the district chiefs, when asked to suggest ways in which the party could attract voters towards it, said Aurangabad should be declared as a Ranji Trophy venue. Joshi, who is the vice president of the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI), was quick to nod at the suggestion and said he would take steps to fulfill this.