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Home > Mumbai > Mumbai News > Article > Sorry Raj but WR cant wait

Sorry Raj, but WR can't wait

Updated on: 03 August,2011 06:50 AM IST  | 
Vedika Chaubey |

MNS wanted Gujarat Mail to halt for an hour at Dadar yesterday so that Raj and his men could board with ease; WR refused, so Raj decided to take a flight instead

Sorry Raj, but WR can't wait

MNS wanted Gujarat Mail to halt for an hour at Dadar yesterday so that Raj and his men could board with ease; WR refused, so Raj decided to take a flight instead


Not so long ago, the Central Railway had attached a special first-class AC bogey to the Vidarbha Express so Raj Thackeray and company could travel conveniently to Nagpur.

Encouraged by the railway's obliging nature, the MNS chief came up with another such demand this time for the Western Railway.






But the railways were less than accommodating this time around. Officials snubbed the demands on both counts, giving Raj ample reason to take the high road a flight to Ahmedabad this morning.

MNS workers confirmed meeting with WR officials with their specific demands last week.

"We wanted some extra time as our members stay in different parts of the city and we didn't want anybody to miss the train.

We were actually expecting a positive response as CR had treated us well a few months ago," said an MNS worker.

The demand for diverting a train was made so Raj may not have to bother coming all the way to Bandra from Dadar, where he stays, the official added.

Railways' rebuff
Said a railway official on condition of anonymity, "Diverting the train to Dadar would have created a host of problems for us and for the passengers.
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The party's request for halting the Gujarat Mail for an hour at Dadar has also been turned down as it would have disturbed the schedule of other passengers."

Sharat Chandrayan, Chief PRO, WR, confirmed that tickets were booked in Raj's name.

"He has booked the tickets in first-class AC in the Gujarat Mail but we have not given him any extra bogie or accepted the special demands made by his party."

Aditya Shirodkar, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's student wing, Shalini Thackeray, the president of the women's wing and Avinash Abhyankar, MNS BEST Kamgar Sena chief, aboard the Gujarat Mail that stuck to its schedule. Some MNS MLAs aboard the train.


The Gujarat Mail, which departs from Mumbai Central, halts for nearly 20 minutes at Dadar, where five sleeper-class bogies are attached.

Off he flies
Having failed to secure the privilege of tailoring the railway schedule to his time-table, Raj decided to fly with his wife, Sharmila, while his retinue of about 40 people left aboard the Gujarat Mail last night at around 10 pm, managing to board the train just fine within the routine halt of 20 minutes.

The tickets were booked in the name of Raj and prominent party members like Shalini Thackeray, Rita Gupta, Anil Shitore, Avinash Abhyankar, Atul Chandak and others. Raj's team of financial heads and some media persons were also aboard the train.

The Thackeray couple will join the team in Ahmedabad directly this morning, having booked an 8.50 am Jet Airways flight to the Gujarat capital.

Party insiders cite different reasons as to why Raj chose to fly, despite confirmed berths in first-class AC.

Said a party member, "Due to the heavy rainfall over the last few days, the railway tracks at the Vaitarna Bridge after Virar have been waterlogged. Raj doesn't want to miss the meeting scheduled for the morning of August 3 in Ahmedabad."

Shalini Thackeray, general secretary, Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, one of the party members travelling via the Gujarat Mail, said yesterday, "Due to Raj Saheb's prior commitment, he is going by flight and will meet us in Ahmedabad directly.

"The visit has been organised to learn from the good development in Gujarat which we would like to implement in our city. Professionals from our party are also visiting Ahmedabad to understand the reasons behind Gujarat's success," she said.

Rita Gupta, vice-president, Women's Wing of the MNS, said, "We will travel along with other party members on Tuesday but Raj Saheb will travel by air as he has got some work at home."

6 months ago
In February this year, the Central Railway had attached a special first-class AC bogey in the Vidarbha Express for Raj and his entourage, on their way to Nagpur.

The MNS chief had a court hearing to attend in relation to the case of beating up candidates appearing or the railways exam it the state. MiD DAY had reported about the incident ('Raj ka Raj on Central Railway').

The Other Side
Talking to MiD DAY, Raj denied having made any demands of the WR. "We have not made any such request of the railways.

My ticket was booked for August 2 on the Gujarat Mail but, due to ill health, I have decided to fly on the morning of August 3," Raj said.

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