Mumbai, December 07: From the violence to the exam centre, it was back to school for some 1200 party workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. All because party chief Raj Thackeray insists they need to pass this exam to be able to contest for the upcoming civic elections.
Shirish Parker, MNS spokesperson, said, “Our chief Raj Thackeray thought of this idea to see what our party workers are up to. What is their knowledge, and to find out if they know what Mumbai’s civic issues are, and how its machinery works.
It wasn’t an easy exam and the relief on the faces of MNS workers was clear or was it over-confidence?
victory sign can be seen on party worker Suganda Shirke’s face, who last appeared in an examination back in 1996. She is confident about her performance.
Suganda Shirke, MNS candidate, says, “It was an easy exam for me.”
Another candidate says, “It was fabulous. I don’t think any of the questions were difficult.”
A Gujarati candidate also found the exam an easy one. “I am a Gujarati but I thought it was an easy paper,” he said.
The exam, held at 2 colleges in Mumbai, was also held at other centres like Pune, Nasik and Nagpur.
And in what’s possibly another first, Mumbai’s civic-minded citizens are finding themselves in agreement with this initiative of the MNS for once!
Like Anandini Thakur, who is herself part of a selection committee for independent candidates.
Anandini Thakoor, Residents Association member, says, “This has never been done in the past. It is a way to root out criminal elements. It is an excellent idea on their part.
If they pass with 35 percent being the cut-off marks, candidates will face a rigorous interview with Raj Thackeray. With even the party’s worst critics hailing the initiative, this is one test the MNS appears to have passed already with flying colours.
——Agencies