Pune:
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, who is on a three-day visit to the city, held a closed-door meeting with party's officer bearers and corporators at PYC hall yesterday.
According to sources present in the meeting, Mr Thackeray said that he wouldn't tolerate infighting at local level. Without taking any name, he said leaders who consider themselves bigger than the will be dealt with severely.
"Although Saheb didn't mention anyone's name, he actually hinted at the party corporator from Kasba Peth Ravindra Dhangekar who remained absent from all the 14 meetings that were called by the party's group leader in the PMC Vasant More. The meetings were called to groom the newly-elected corporators," a source informed.
A four-time coporator, Mr Dhanghekar was denied the position of group leader in the elections held in last year following which he was allegedly upset with the high command's decision.
Mr Thackeray, in his speech, said that every party workers, irrespective of how many times they has elected as corporators, should have to follow the rules. "He also warned party activists to work in harmony with other leaders or leave the party," he added.
Mr Dhangekar, who hardly attends party meetings at local level, was present yesterday. Speaking to MiD DAY, he denied that Mr Thackeray hinted at him. "If Saheb wanted to give me a message, then would have been told me directly," he said.
Final and binding
Raj Thackeray, during the meeting, said that he plans to field the strong contender from the city for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. According to sources, Mr Thackeray was clear enough to communicate it to the party workers that it's he who will chose the candidate and doesn't need any suggestions from anyone.