UNI

Pune, Jul 10: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will stage a Morcha at the Brihanmumbai Corporation (BMC) on July 14 for its failure to solve the perennial problems of the metropolis, MNS President Raj Thackeray said here today.

Addressing a press conference, Raj Thackeray said his party would take up issues that have been plaguing Mumbai as also other cities of the state.

He said that local people best understood the problems and his party would also come up with solutions. ''People who are disenchanted with politicians and who have lost faith should be won over.'' He said that MNS would be fielding candidates for all the seats during the coming elections to local bodies. 

Thackeray said he was touring the state and announcing the names of office bearers in the respective regions selecting suitable candidates. He said that Vikram Boke will head MNS Pune District. ''I will be going next to Sangli, Satara, the MNS office bearers have already been named in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik.'' Replying to queries, Raj Thackeray said he was aware that people were criticising his party for the absence of any programme.

''I am busy organising the party and raising a political outfit from scratch was not easy. Only Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharad Pawar have this experience. The capacity of my party of four months cannot be compared to the other party that has over forty years behind it,'' he said.

To a query whether he would pursue politics of violence like the Shiv Sena, Raj Thackeray said that he was against damage to public property and said no policeman should be 'touched', referring to yesterday's violence in Bhiwandi following the desecration of Meentai's statue. ''There has to be a system.''

Supporting state Home Minister R R Patil, he said, ''The Home Minister is right when he says 'a bullet for bullet'. I have already stated and condemned Ma's statue being desecrated but the violence and the damage to public property caused by the Sainiks is also to be condemned, the miscreants should be caught immediately.'' To another question about working for the Maharashtrians, Raj Thackeray said his party would uphold the interests of the Maharashtrians but not by penalising other communities.

Regarding the issue of ''reservation'', he said he would consult party leaders and take a stand only after discussions.