No mobile phones, midway exit permitted at MNS meet tomorrow

In the wake of several senior leaders leaving the party in recent weeks, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has barred the party workers and leaders from carrying cell phones at tomorrow's meeting.
According to a senior party functionary, Thackeray has even prohibited party leaders from leaving the auditorium midway during the full-day session, where he is expected to spell out a future roadmap for the party.
The last three months after the results of the state Assembly elections have been difficult for the MNS, with senior leaders like Pravin Darekar and Vasant Gite joining the ruling BJP.
"Though the leaders who quit were very close to Raj saheb, it does not mean there is no road ahead for the party. MNS will soon bounce back," claimed a senior MNS leader on condition of anonymity.

Asked about the reason for prohibition of cell phones, the leader said, "He (Raj Thackeray) wants to keep the interactions limited to the party workers and himself. Not only mobile phones, we will not even be allowed to leave the hall till the evening once we enter it in the morning."
"At times some leaders pass on internal meeting messages to journalists and other people who are not associated with the MNS. It is possible that (Raj) saheb does not want this to happen now."
The invitees for the meet will be given entry card with a bar code before entering the auditorium.

Thackeray is also expected to carry out a reshuffle in the party.