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Raj Thackeray

Swararaj Shrikant Thackeray commonly known as Raj Thackeray is an Indian politician and the founder and chief of right wing Marathi centric Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (Maharashtra Reformation Army). He is the nephew of Shiv Sena Founder Bal Thackeray and cousin of Uddhav Thackeray, current leader and President of Shiv Sena. According to a recent report published by Google, Raj Thackeray was the most popular politician in Maharashtra during the 2014 general elections in Maharashtra but after a humiliating performance of his party in the 2014 elections, the upcoming 2017 assembly election is a watershed moment for him and his party. Raj Thackeray is known to have a similar style and personality that of his uncle Bal Thackeray and many see him as the leader of the Marathi Manoos (Marathi people)Born on 14th July 1968 to Shrikant Thackeray and Kunda Thackeray, he did his schooling from Bal Mohan Vidya Mandir, Mumbai and then studied painting from J.J. School of Art. His father was the younger brother of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and his mother was younger sister of Bal Thackerays wife Meena Thackeray. As a child, he learnt to play violin, guitar and table. Like his uncle, even he was fond of painting and loved to draw cartoons and caricatures and in his younger days he used to contribute to Bal Thackerays weekly magazine Marmik. He was also fond of photography. Raj Thackeray grew up in a political atmosphere and was always seen beside Bal Thackeray since childhood. This political atmosphere around him drew him towards politics and he then started participating and organizing events for Shiv Sena. Due to a similar style of speaking and many other qualities similar to Bal Thackeray, made many think him as the successor of Bal Thackeray in politics. However, Bal Thackeray chose his son Uddhav Thackeray over Raj to be his successor and the next chief of Shiv Sena. Raj Thackeray then decided to leave the party and to create his own political party and on 9th March 2006, he founded his own party in Mumbai and named it Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and during the formation of the party he said that he does not want any hostilities with his uncle and his uncle Bal Thackeray was, is and always will be his mentor. In 2008, his party MNS became the headline of every newspaper in Maharashtra after his launch of violent agitation against North Indians in Maharashtra and he promised to throw North Indians outside Maharashtra. This was a similar step used by Bal Thackeray when he newly founded Shiv Sena and launched violent agitation against south Indians residing in Maharashtra. By this step, Raj reminded Maharashtrians of the violent past of Shiv Sena. His next successful move was in establishing himself and his party as a force of Maharashtra by agitating against the English signboards and asking all the shops as well as malls to have a Marathi signboard. Many of the MNS workers were also arrested during the agitation but this helped his party to gain headlines and form his base in Maharashtra. His party and Shiv Sena opposed and also banned Australian cricketers in participating in IPL 3 in playing in Mumbai as a protest of the attacks on Indian students in Australia. The next big step of MNS was the forceful reinstatement of the sacked temporary employees of Jet Airways. He threatened the management that the company will have to face non-operation of flights from Mumbai if the employees were not reinstated. MNS contested its first assembly election in 2009 and won 13 seats. On 9th November 2009, Raj Thackeray and his party were in controversy again after attacking Abu Azmi for taking his oath speech in Hindi despite MNS asking all the members to take their speech in Marathi language. He resorted to street violence just before the 2012 Municipal elections in Maharashtra and his activists were successful in making the auto drivers withdraw their strike on the demand of higher fares. This helped the party win 28 seats in Mumbai Municipality and 40 seats in Nashik making MNS the single largest party of Nashik. The party was also able to open its account across Municipalities in Maharashtra. However, in the 2014 general elections his political prospects got severely beaten after all the ten candidates of his party suffered humiliating defeats and losing their respective deposits in the elections. The vote share of his party also fell from 4.7 percent in 2009 to 0.13 percent in 2014 elections. The upcoming 2017 assembly elections is vital for him and his partys survival and only time will say whats in store for him.Raj is married to Sharmila Thackeray, the daughter of a well known theatre personality in Maharashtra. The couple has two kids, their son Amit and daughter Urvashi.

Maharashtra Assembly Election 2019: Raj Thackeray's MNS to Contest Polls, Likely to go Solo
India.com News Desk | September 30, 2019 4:46 PM IST
Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday announced that his party will...
Maharashtra Assembly Election 2019: Raj Thackeray's MNS to Contest Polls, Likely to go Solo
indiacom
2019-09-30T05:46:01+00:00
2019-09-30T05:46:01+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Section 144 Imposed Outside ED Office in South Mumbai as Raj Thackeray Arrives For Probe
India.com News Desk | August 22, 2019 11:45 AM IST
New Delhi: The Mumbai police on Thursday imposed Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (which pr...
Section 144 Imposed Outside ED Office in South Mumbai as Raj Thackeray Arrives For Probe
indiacom
2019-08-22T00:45:43+00:00
2019-08-22T01:08:54+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
'Nothing Will Come Out in Investigation,' Says Uddhav Thackeray Over ED Notice to Cousin Raj
India.com News Desk | August 21, 2019 4:05 PM IST
New Delhi: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray came out in support of his brother and Maharashtra Navni...
'Nothing Will Come Out in Investigation,' Says Uddhav Thackeray Over ED Notice to Cousin Raj
indiacom
2019-08-21T05:05:34+00:00
2019-08-21T05:05:34+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
'Do Not Step Out of Home on Thursday Unless it is Necessary,' MNS Warns Mumbai Residents After ED Summons Party Chief Raj Thackeray
India.com News Desk | August 20, 2019 6:37 AM IST
New Delhi: A day after Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief ...
'Do Not Step Out of Home on Thursday Unless it is Necessary,' MNS Warns Mumbai Residents After ED Summons Par
indiacom
2019-08-19T19:37:16+00:00
2019-08-19T19:45:44+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Summoned by ED in IL&FS Money Laundering Case
India.com News Desk | August 19, 2019 11:02 AM IST
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj ...
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Summoned by ED in IL&FS Money Laundering Case
indiacom
2019-08-19T00:02:59+00:00
2019-08-19T00:03:17+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Raj Thackeray Asks Election Commission to Conduct Assembly Polls in Maharashtra With Ballot Papers
India.com News Desk | July 8, 2019 2:50 PM IST
New Delhi: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray today wrote to the Election Comm...
Raj Thackeray Asks Election Commission to Conduct Assembly Polls in Maharashtra With Ballot Papers
indiacom
2019-07-08T03:50:02+00:00
2019-07-08T03:52:49+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
MNS Asked to Submit Details of Expenses Incurred in Poll Rallies in 90 Days
PTI | May 3, 2019 11:28 PM IST
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been asked to submit details within 90 days of expenses inc...
MNS Asked to Submit Details of Expenses Incurred in Poll Rallies in 90 Days
indiacom
2019-05-03T12:28:15+00:00
2019-05-03T12:28:15+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
MNS chief Raj Thackeray Urges People to Vote Out Modi Government in LS Polls
PTI | April 27, 2019 12:39 AM IST
MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Friday asked people to dislodge the Narendra Modi dispensation in the cur...
MNS chief Raj Thackeray Urges People to Vote Out Modi Government in LS Polls
indiacom
2019-04-26T13:39:54+00:00
2019-04-26T13:39:54+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
NCP Says Govt Should Conduct Raids at Raj Thackeray's Home if it Has Guts
PTI | April 17, 2019 5:44 PM IST
The NCP has dared the government to carry out raids at the home of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who has ...
NCP Says Govt Should Conduct Raids at Raj Thackeray's Home if it Has Guts
indiacom
2019-04-17T06:44:38+00:00
2019-04-17T06:44:38+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
You Keep Abusing Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi But Still Copy Them: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Takes Jibe at PM Narendra Modi
India.com News Desk | April 13, 2019 6:50 AM IST
Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra ...
You Keep Abusing Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi But Still Copy Them: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Takes Jibe at P
indiacom
2019-04-12T19:50:45+00:00
2019-04-12T19:50:45+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Asks Party Cadres to Work Against BJP, Says Upcoming Polls Against Modi-Shah Combine
India.com News Desk | March 20, 2019 11:02 AM IST
Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party...
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Asks Party Cadres to Work Against BJP, Says Upcoming Polls
indiacom
2019-03-20T00:02:34+00:00
2019-03-20T00:02:34+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: There Will be Another Pulwama-like Attack Within Next 1-2 Months to Win Polls, Says Raj Thackeray
India.com News Desk | March 9, 2019 10:11 PM IST
Mumbai: Making a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chi...
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: There Will be Another Pulwama-like Attack Within Next 1-2 Months to Win Polls, Says
indiacom
2019-03-09T11:11:42+00:00
2019-03-09T11:11:42+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Pulwama Terror Attack 'Truth' Will be Out if NSA Ajit Doval is Investigated, Says MNS Chief Raj Thackeray
India.com News Desk | February 24, 2019 11:57 PM IST
Kohlapur: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday demanded investigation agai...
Pulwama Terror Attack 'Truth' Will be Out if NSA Ajit Doval is Investigated, Says MNS Chief Raj Thackeray
indiacom
2019-02-24T12:57:48+00:00
2019-02-24T12:57:48+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Pulwama Attack: Salman Khan Contributes to #BharatKeVeer fund, Ranveer Singh Pays Respect at Dubai Award Show, T-Series Pulls Down Pakistani Singers Songs From Youtube
India.com Entertainment Desk | February 17, 2019 1:18 PM IST
Triggering protests across the nation after the horror of the terrorist attack in Pulwama district o...
Pulwama Attack: Salman Khan Contributes to #BharatKeVeer fund, Ranveer Singh Pays Respect at Dubai Award Show
indiacom
2019-02-17T02:18:58+00:00
2019-02-17T02:18:58+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Kolkata Crisis: We Firmly Stand Behind Mamata Banerjee in Fight Against Autocracy And Tyranny of Central Government, Says Raj Thackeray
India.com News Desk | February 4, 2019 11:16 AM IST
New Delhi: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray extended full support to TMC preside...
Kolkata Crisis: We Firmly Stand Behind Mamata Banerjee in Fight Against Autocracy And Tyranny of Central Gove
indiacom
2019-02-04T00:16:40+00:00
2019-02-04T00:16:40+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Amit Thackeray-Mitali Borude Wedding Reception: Raj Thackeray And Family Pose For The Cameras-See Pics
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 27, 2019 9:39 PM IST
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray's son Amit got married to fashion designer Mitali...
Amit Thackeray-Mitali Borude Wedding Reception: Raj Thackeray And Family Pose For The Cameras-See Pics
indiacom
2019-01-27T10:39:31+00:00
2019-01-27T10:39:31+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Tearful Sachin Tendulkar Attends Childhood Coach Ramakant Achrekar's Cremation Ceremony
India.com Sports Desk | January 3, 2019 2:39 PM IST
Renowned cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar, who died due to age-related ailments, was cremated here on...
Tearful Sachin Tendulkar Attends Childhood Coach Ramakant Achrekar's Cremation Ceremony
indiacom
2019-01-03T03:39:51+00:00
2019-01-03T03:39:51+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Assembly Election Results: 'Pappu' Has Become 'Param Pujya', Says Raj Thackeray; Blames PM Modi, Amit Shah For BJP's Defeat
India.com News Desk | December 12, 2018 5:54 PM IST
New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi who was referred as 'Pappu' by his opponents has now beco...
Assembly Election Results: 'Pappu' Has Become 'Param Pujya', Says Raj Thackeray; Blames PM Modi, Amit Shah Fo
indiacom
2018-12-12T06:54:28+00:00
2018-12-12T11:31:55+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Accuses BJP of Doing Conspiracy With Owaisi to Instigate Riots in Country
India.com News Desk | December 4, 2018 8:19 AM IST
New Delhi: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray, in a fresh attack on Narendra Modi...
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Accuses BJP of Doing Conspiracy With Owaisi to Instigate Riots in Country
indiacom
2018-12-03T21:19:32+00:00
2018-12-03T21:19:32+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com
Hindi is Beautiful But Shouldn't be Given The Status of National Language,Says MNS Chief Raj Thackeray
India.com News Desk | December 2, 2018 9:19 PM IST
New Delhi: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray, who is known for spewing venom aga...
Hindi is Beautiful But Shouldn't be Given The Status of National Language,Says MNS Chief Raj Thackeray
indiacom
2018-12-02T10:19:09+00:00
2018-12-02T10:22:16+00:00
Raj Thackeray
India.com