Amid the ongoing preparations for 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Nitin Nandgaonkar on Wednesday joined Shiv Sena.
This comes as a huge blow to Raj Thackeray-led MNS ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra which are scheduled on October 21. Nandgaonkar was the General Secretary of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena. Nandgaonkar joined Shiv Sena at Matoshree in the presence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray. The MNS leader was welcomed in Shiv Sena with a 'Shiv Bandhan'.
After Raj Thackeray's MNS declared its first list naming 27 candidates for the assembly polls, Nangaokar was sure that he will get a ticket. However, after his name was missing the second list of candidates, Nandgaonkar felt disappointment and decided to join Shiv Sena.
Along with the MNS, Nandgaonkar is also infamous for being violent against people from non-Marathi communities, mostly auto-drivers from Uttar Pradesh and other states of India. Nandgaonkar is a self-proclaimed 'fighter' of the common man's problems and underprivileged – his idea to 'discipline' taxi drivers is highly problematic.
There have been many incidents where Nandgaonkar went viral on social media. In a recent viral video, Nangaokar was seen mand-handling and beating an auto-driver. It was alleged that the auto-driver had earlier beat up a passenger.
Nandgaonkar has often used Facebook Live to broadcast his "MNS-style" vigilantism which can be highly problematic in promoting violence among youth who can get wrongly influence by this image and actions.
Earlier this year, Mumbai Police issued a show-cause notice to the former MNS leader Nitin Nandgaonkar claiming that he was spreading fear in society. In the notice, Nandgaonkar was asked to explain why he shouldn't be externed from Mumbai and its suburbs along with Thane district.
However, Nandgaonkar has always maintained that he is dedicated to the service of the society and to eliminate the scamster who loot common people. However, the question remains: Is it right to hamper another human being's dignity, to slap and humiliate an individual, while taking the law in one's hands?
Nandgaonkar is considered a close associate to Raj Thackeray. While he was in MNS, Nandgaonkar's favourite slogan remained: "Jai Maharashtra. Jai MNS." With his entry in Shiv Sena, the slogan is bound to change, isn't it?
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