How Raj Thackeray got involved in the Jet drama

MUMBAI: Raj Thackeray is an expertcartoonist. But his talent with the sketch pen was somehow camouflaged by hispolitical activities and his party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS), northIndian bashing in Mumbai. However, with one stroke, he turned himself into ahero of the masses when he firmly stood by 1900 sacked employees of Jet Airwayswho rushed to him for help.Explaining how it happened, NitinSardesai, the party's general secretary informed that Raj was actually in Punewhen the sacked jet employees approached MNS for help. "As soon as they weresacked some of the employees contacted me. They personally knew me and Iimmediately called them to my office," said Nitin who met more than 200retrenched Jet employees in his office on Wednesday, the day they were sacked.He spoke to Raj on the phone who, was on his way back from Pune to Mumbai.After he reached Mumbai, Raj was apprised of the situation and hedecided to support the sacked staff saying that it was ridiculous to throw outso many young people on the road, overnight. "There was no politicsinvolved in this and we did not even consult experts in this matter. It was aspontaneous situation and Raj told the press on Wednesday evening that he wouldnot allow any Jet airways flights to take off or land in Mumbai if the sackedemployees were not reinstated. It seemingly worked because on Thursday eveningall the employees got back their jobs, though the Jet chairman maintained thatit was his "conscience" and not any political pressure that worked in the sackedemployees' favour."To tell you the truth it was Raj saheb's charismathat drew these young employees to him. They know that he is a man of words andwould not tolerate any injustice," said Nitin, elaborating why the sackedemployees' first recall was Raj in this situation and not any other politicalparty or union. "In fact Jet airways has a Shiv Sena union but theydidn't go to them," said Nitin who himself is a first time politician and admitsto have been drawn to Raj's party not because of their close friendship but dueto the fact that he (Nitin) was convinced of the MNS chief's leadershipqualities.On Friday Raj Thackeray at a press conference in Mumbaithanked Jet chairman Naresh Goyal for reinstating the sacked staff, adding thathe didn't want to make this a political issue nor did he intend to form anyunion. He stated that he just didn't want to see youths on thestreet.Not many know Raj's party has in its fold doctors, legalexperts and few other professionals who advise MNS on issues of labour,medicine, law and other social issues. They have no interest in politics but arethe well wishers of the party and are on its panel of experts. In fact, insiderssay Raj has always insisted on having such cr��me de la cr��me onhis party's panel because they are rich, highly educated and have no interestsin politics and so they would do real (social) work.