MNS chief Raj Thackeray urges teachers to decline poll duty due to its impact on students, criticises ECI

Raj Thackeray addressing a presser/ Sameer Markande

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has called upon teachers to refuse election duty, citing its adverse effects on students' education.

Addressing reporters in Mumbai on Monday, Thackeray cited a group of Shardashram School teachers who were concerned about the Election Commission of India's instruction to report for poll duty, stated a report in PTI.

IN PHOTOS: Delhi gears up for G20 summit

1 year agoPHOTO GALLERY

"I asked them and others to not take up poll duty at the cost of teaching. Who will teach the students (during this time)? The ECI is not conducting polls for the first time. Why can't it come with its system and machinery for polls" he questioned during the presser, per PTI report.

According to the report, Thackeray criticised the Election Commission for pressuring teachers into accepting poll duty by threatening disciplinary action. "Teachers should not take up poll duty. I will see if the Election Commission takes action against you," he asserted.

Off lately, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has been hitting the headlines after a seeming period of hibernation. He and his party spoke extensively on toll in Maharashtra last year and also met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde seeking relief. He recently made news after he demanded a Bharat Ratna for the founder of Shiv Sena Bal Thackeray who passed away in 2012.

Raj, who is Balasaheb Thackeray's nephew, in a social media post wrote, "Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and S Swaminathan, father of the Indian Green Revolution, were posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna. S Swaminathan passed away just a few months ago. A scientist who achieved so much should have received this honour during his lifetime."

He further stated, "Now that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Center has shown political generosity by honouring PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and Pranab Mukherjee a few years ago, they must show the same generosity and declare Balasaheb Thackeray 'Bharat Ratna' as well."

He further said, "A prominent cartoonist of this country and a unique leader who kindled the pride of all Hindus across the country deserves this honour. It will be a moment of jubilation for me, and others like me who have inherited Balasaheb's thoughts."