New Delhi: As Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray prepares for rally in Aurangabad, he has got a rare invite for Iftaar from Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

The Iftaar invite comes amid Raj Thackeray’s open warnings against loudspeakers blaring out Azaan from the mosques across the state. The MNS chief has been invited by Aurangabad MP Imtiaz Jalil, who said that this will send a good message of communal harmony in the country.

Raj Thackeray’s Aurangabad rally is part of the campaign against loudspeakers in mosques. He has given an ultimatum to Uddhav government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, else his partymen will start reciting Hanuman Chalisa outside the mosques.

This set off political bickering in the state with Shiv Sena brushing aside his ultimatum while accusing BJP of deploying him for creating Hindu-Muslim divide. Sanjay Raut accused BJP of using Owaisi for splitting Muslim votes & now using MNS chief for attacking Sena’s Hindutva.
Thackeray’s Sunday rally with riders

Maharashtra | On his way to Aurangabad to address a rally on May 1, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray visits the Sambhaji Maharaj memorial in Pune today pic.twitter.com/TnUotCBdIF

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2022

Today, the MNS chief clad in saffron clothes left for Aurangabad rally, reportedly with a convoy of about 400 vehicles following him. The local police have given go ahead for Thackeray’s rally but put in place 16 conditions to keep the crowd in check. As per guidelines, more than 15,000 people can’t assemble at the rally.

While invitation by AIMIM MP is an unexpected & also a welcome move, much will depend on how the mega public event pans out. In such ‘polarised’ environment, people tend to get driven by rhetoric & rumour-mongering. Now, all eyes will be on Thackeray’s Sunday speech on whether he makes fresh pitch for banning loudspeakders for Azaan as this will give fresh ammo to political parties to intensify sparring.