The MNS in Thane city of Maharashtra would organise a demonstration of farmers on Friday to protest against their alleged exploitation by local politicians, stated party chief Raj Thackeray. This move comes after activists of the BJP and MNS clashed in the Thane city last week, neighbouring Mumbai, over the issue of mango stalls set up by hawkers on footpaths.

Raj Thackeray alleged that BJP's district president, around 10 ten corporators of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), and other leaders were involved in threatening local farmers against selling their produce in the region. The MNS is raising its voice against such injustice, he said in a statement on Thursday. "The MNS has taken up an issue of a farmer who was stopped from selling his produce in Thane city. We noticed that local BJP corporators and leaders are exploiting farmers and causing financial losses to them. The rally is against such exploitation," he said. The farmers' rally will begin from Gamdevi ground in Thane and culminate at the TMC headquarters. Avinash Jadhav, MNS Thane district president said, "Farmers from across the state were expected to participate in the demonstration."