Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेना, English: Maharashtra Reconstruction Army) is a regional political party operative in Maharashtra, India. It was founded on the 9th of March 2006 in Mumbai. Its president and founder is Raj Thackeray.
Foundation
The party was founded by Raj Thackeray, nephew of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray. Raj Thackeray broke away from his uncle's party in January 2006 and announced his intention to start a new political party. The reason given by him for breaking away from the Shiv Sena was that the latter was "run by petty clerks" because of which it had "fallen from its former glory".
At the time of the party's foundation, Raj Thackeray stated that he does not want to have hostilities with his uncle who "was, is and always will be (his) mentor".
Controversies
In June 2005, Mr. Thackerey has been quoted as admiring Hitler a belief similar to his uncle, the famous goon from Mumbai Bal Thackrey.[1]]
= 2008 violence against non-Maharashtrians
In February 2008, MNS party workers organized violent protests against migrants from north India in Mumbai, after MNS chief Raj Thackeray criticized the migrant north Indian population. They also clashed with Samajwadi Party (SP) workers. 73 MNS activists and 19 SP workers were arrested by Mumbai Police for indulging in violence.[2] On February 6, 2008 about 200 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena party workers quit the party and joined Shiv Sena to protest against party's anti-north Indian agenda.[3]
Raj Thackerey was quoted as a "A Dangerous Goon For The Civil Society" [4]. A petition was filed in the Patna civil court on Friday against Maharashtra Nav Nirman Party chief Raj Thackeray for his alleged remarks over Chhath, Bihar`s most popular festival.[5]
On February 10, 2008, MNS workers attacked vendors and shopkeepers from North India in various parts of Maharashtra, and destroyed government properties to vent their anger against the reported move to arrest Raj Thackeray.[6] Nashik police detained 26 MNS workers for the violence.