In pics: Raj Thackeray in Rajat Sharma's 'Aap Ki Adalat'

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has said, if BJP leader Narendra Modi becomes prime minister, he should first concentrate on developing Bihar, UP and Jharkhand, to stem the influx of people from these states to Maharashtra.Thackeray was replying to questions from Rajat Sharma in the popular India TV show Aap Ki Adalat, to be telecast tonight (Saturday).The MNS supremo said, much of the crimes taking place in Mumbai and other satellite towns were because of what he called migrants from Bihar and UP.Raj Thackeray Said: "If Narendra Modi becomes Prime Minister then I'll request him to first dedicate his five years to Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. And not anywhere else."Asked why he was always speaking out against migrants from Bihar and UP, Raj Thackeray replied: "Why would I get angry over UP and Bihar? If there are people from these states who are creating problems, then there are also good boys, from good families, who are coming from these states."Ask them if Raj Thackeray or his men created any trouble for them? The morcha that was taken out at Azad Maidan by some Muslims, first attacked police , some female police constable were dragged inside and rest you must be knowing…" Later on, it was found that these Muslims were not from Maharashtra. Most of them were from Bangladesh. They come via UP and Bihar because if you have to come from Bangladesh then you can't come through Kerala. You'll not see Hindu-Muslim riots taking place in a region where Maharashtrian Muslims reside."Expressing concern over the influx of migrants to Mumbai, the MNS chief said: "Today 48 trains arrive from Bihar, UP and Jharkhand on daily basis. In Goa, when one train started running from Bihar, the former Chief minister of Goa said, “Stop this train. We don't need a train of beggars.” Then nobody said a word. I have his entire statement."Raj Thackeray explained why he had pitched for Modi as prime minister way back in 2011."In 2011, I had gone on a trip to Gujarat. I stayed there for over 10 days. Then while returning to Mumbai I had a press conference. At that point of time Narendra Modi was nowhere in the political scenario as BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate. Then there were talks of Sushmaji and Advaniji. I had then said that India needs a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi. When no one in this country had recommended it, Raj Thackeray did. No one had objection then."When Rajat Sharma pointed out that his support to Modi was creating problem for the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition, Raj Thackeray replied: "What can I do about that.. what can I do? I don't need to do that. If you see, their divorce papers have already been filed in court."A while later, Raj Thackeray corrected himself to say that what he said about the divorce papers was in a lighter vein. "I'm not waiting for something like that to happen. That was just a joke...I do not intend to shatter someone's house or alliance. I don't have that habit, nor do I ever wish to do something like this."When it was pointed out that BJP president Rajnath Singh had said that his party did not want unsolicited support, Raj Thackeray replied: "True! I have extended my support to Narendra Modi, and not to Rajnath Singh."Raj Thackeray admitted that he had described Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan as "Dr Manmohan Singh without the turban"."Yes, because he (Chavan) doesn't talk. And if you ask anyone in Maharashtra then they'll tell you that he doesn't even work." I don't know much about Manmohan Singh but both of them share similarities. Neither of them speaks; neither of them does anything productive. So I thought he must be Manmohan Singh without the turban."The MNS chief also admitted that he had threatened that Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar will not be able to return home on his feet he comes without his securitymen. "Indeed I'd said that because last year I had rallies in two or three places. Naturally there are some political allegations in rallies. I had gone to a particular place and their people stoned our vehicles. So I think that was the time when I'd made this statement." Rajat Sharma: Do you understand what this means? Raj: Certainly! Rajat Sharma: Breaking someone's hands and legs… Raj: Of course!On his party's agitation against toll collections, Raj Thackeray said: "I had gone to meet the Chief Minister and told him there were 22 toll checkposts in Maharashtra. Cost of constructing roads is a little overs Rs 2-5 crore (per road) and the total cost would come to around Rs 100 crore."This amount can be recovered in less than a year, but the toll licences have been given for 22 or 23 years. It is pointless collecting toll even after the cost has been recovered. The Chief Minister said, he got the point and he would have them removed.Asked why his partymen resorted to largescale violence over the issue, Thackeray said: "If they cannot understand simple and straight forward language then what other choices do we have?"" I'm not against toll. I'm against was process of toll collection. ... See roads are in a terrible shape in Maharashtra. On top of that there are around 10 or 11 types of taxes that are taken for roads. Despite the roads being in bad shape, toll is charged."I'm a citizen so I have the right to know where the money is going. And if such huge amount of money is pouring in then why am I not getting good facilities?"Raj Thackeray clearly expressed his readiness to become Chief Minister of Maharashtra if the opportunity arose.While speaking on the Congress party's national street vendors policy, he said, too many people from outside have encroached on Central and state government land in Mumbai to build shanties and slums. "But I can't do anything from outside. To stop that you need a government in your hand."When Rajat Sharma asked him, how could he form a government, when he himself was not contesting elections, Thackeray said, "It's not about fighting elections. If we get the power then I will not spare an opportunity to form the government ..."I'm not craving to become the CM nor do I desire a lavish house. If power is used in the right manner then miracles can happen. I have seen them…in Gujarat. Rather than sitting as kings, they must be like a trustee. They don't behave like trustees and that's when problem arises."

In pics: Raj Thackeray in Rajat Sharma's 'Aap Ki Adalat'

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has said, if BJP leader Narendra Modi becomes prime minister, he should first concentrate on developing Bihar, UP and Jharkhand, to stem the influx of people from these states

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In pics: Raj Thackeray in Rajat Sharma's 'Aap Ki Adalat'

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has said, if BJP leader Narendra Modi becomes prime minister, he should first concentrate on developing Bihar, UP and Jharkhand, to stem the influx of people from these states

More From Politics

ED raids Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora in money laundering probe, CM Bhagwant Mann targets BJP

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​Amid Opposition's unity bid, BJP's counter-strategy of key inductions ahead of 2024 polls

Chirag Paswan to meet Amit Shah in Delhi, return to NDA on the cards?

​On PM Modi's jibe at Patna meeting, TMC says 'It's you who is leading largest opposition party'

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Mirabai Chanu clinches historic silver at Asian Games, ends India's 28-year-long medal jinx

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