’I pay no attention to it’

Aditya Thackeray says he doesn't want to be distracted by his uncle Raj's criticism of him attending party rallies with his father Uddhav

'I pay no attention to it'

Aditya Thackeray says he doesn't want to be distracted by his uncle Raj's criticism of him attending party rallies with his father Uddhav

With the Thackeray cousins at war, their families are fair game. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray recently took potshots at his nephew Aditya for attending his father Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's party rallies. But the youngest cub to take the plunge is noncommittal about his estranged uncle's sarcastic remarks. Nineteen-year-old Aditya spoke to Sunday MiD DAY, on the remarks, his increasing role in the Sena and how he juggles SYBA in political science, history and English at St Xavier's College.

pic/Bipin Kokate

Did you read the comments made by your uncle (Raj) about you?
No, I haven't read it, but I heard about it. Party spokespersons are now dealing with the matter.

Aren't you hurt by the comments?
I don't want to pay attention to the comments. If I do, there are many things that can crop up and divert my focus. I don't want that. I want to focus on the work that I'm doing and after the Sena-BJP comes into power, we will do work that will speak for itself.

Will you ask your uncle after the elections and try to find out why he's making these renarks?
I don't need to talk to anyone about what I am doing. My conscience is clear and I am convinced by my work.

You were seen with your dad during political rallies. When are you delivering your first speech?
I'm not going to give speeches now. Instead, it will be an interaction they are two-way and helps me understand problems better.

So what are your plans? How will you interact with the public?
I will be campaigning and will surely go to places. Even outstation. But I don't want to bunk college, so outstation campaigning will be reserved for weekends. On weekdays, I will be in Mumbai.

Apart from campaigning, are you associated with other party work?
Till now, I was busy with the manifesto, drafting it with Subhash Desai, Prakash Javdekar and others. We were working on the combined manifesto of the alliance, which will be out soon.

Whose idea was it to get you into the manifesto team?
I decided on my own to be a part of the team. I had some ideas and those were practical, so I got into it.

Your role in politics is gradually growing. Who is training you?
No one. I'm doing whatever I understand.

In all this politics, it must be difficult to find time for your friends?
Absolutely true. My friends tease me, saying I'm a busy man now. But I do keep in touch with them via sms and other mediums. And I do meet my best friend.u00a0u00a0

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