Mumbai: Raj Thackeray cancels annual Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park

Raj had started the annual ritual just last year. The MNS even fought a court battle for holding the event at the ground where political rallies are not allowed.

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Mumbai: Raj Thackeray cancels annual Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park
Raj Thackeray

After a drab performance in the recently concluded municipal corporation polls, Raj's Thackeray MNS is staring at a bleak future.

Party Supremo Raj has cancelled his annual rally at the Shivaji Park on Marathi New Year 'Gudi Padwa'. Raj had started the annual ritual just last year. The MNS even fought a court battle for holding the event at the ground where political rallies are not allowed. The Shiv Sena has been holding its annual rally on Dusshera at the same venue for over four decades now.

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Raj called a meeting of his party office bearers at his Dadar residence today. According to sources, Raj informed his party men that he will be travelling out of the country with his son Amit for medical reasons. Amit Thakeray has been unwell and undergoing treatment. Due to Amit's health, Raj had joined the election campaign late and addressed just 4 rallies. Raj also spoke about his son's health in his first rally at Vikhroli in Mumbai informing the supporters that he was caught up with his ailing son.

The MNS performed badly in the recently held municipal polls in Maharashtra. In Mumbai, his party could manage just 7 seats. While in his bastion Nasik, Raj's party that was in power was decimated to just 3 seats. On the backdrop of his poor show, Raj made a brief appearance at his party's Foundation Day earlier this month. Raj promised his followers in the rally that this will be the last defeat seen by his party and that his party will rise all over again.

"We believed that Raj saheb perhaps refrained from making any political comments at the party foundation day as he was expected to speak at the party's annual Gudi Padwa rally. But now with the rally cancelled, party cadres will be left disappointed," said a party leader on the condition of anonymity.

Also read: BMC election results: What's next for Raj Thackeray's MNS after the big debacle

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