SHIV Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said, he and MNS head Raj Thackeray have come together to stay united as the cousins shared a political stage for the first time after two decades on the issue of Marathi identity and “imposition” of the Hindi language. Addressing a “victory” rally in Worli here to celebrate the rollback of the Hindi language GRs (resolutions) by the BJP-led Government, Uddhav hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together. “We have come together to stay together.

 

We will together capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra,” he said, evoking loud cheers from the crowd in the packed NSCI Dome. The elections to the high-profile civic body in Mumbai, which Sena considers its citadel and homeground, and other Municipal Corporations are due in coming months. Speaking ahead of Uddhav, the only person seated on the stage, Raj quipped that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has managed to do what Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and others couldn’t by bringing the two cousins together. The State Government’s move on the three-language policy and the introduction of Hindi as a third language provided a much-needed common cause. Conscious of Bal Thackeray’s charisma and its emotional connect with the common Marathi people, the symbolism at the rally was evident, with only Uddhav and Raj occupying the stage. Opening the speech, the MNS President said the three-language formula imposed by the State Government was a precursor to its plan to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. He said the Government had to withdraw the controversial GRs merely at the thought of the proposed protest march- which was cancelled and the victory rally was held. Raj said that, after the language row, the Government’s next move in politics will be to divide people on caste.

 

“The BJP’s ploy is to divide and rule”, he added. Uddhav said they won’t let the Government impose Hindi on the people. No one should cast an evil eye on Marathi and Maharashtra, he added. “Our strength should be in our unity. Whenever there is a crisis we come together and after that, we again start fighting amongst ourselves,” Uddhav lamented. He said the BJP’s “batenge toh katenge” (divided we fall) slogan coined during the Assembly polls was meant to divide Hindus and Muslims. However, in reality, the BJP used it to divide Maharashtrians, he claimed and dubbed the BJP “traders in politics”. “Marathi manoos (people) fought amongst themselves and slaves of Delhi started ruling us,” he said in a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Although NCP (SP) working President Supriya Sule and other leaders attended the event, only Raj and Uddhav occupied the stage and addressed the gathering. The generation next leaders, Aaditya and Amit Thackeray posed together for the first time, putting their hands on each other’s shoulders. Later, Amit and Aaditya stood next to their uncles when the National Anthem was played. 

 

 

IN A veiled swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said he delivered a “rudali” (professional mourner) like speech at joint rally. He “thanked” MNS President Raj Thackeray for crediting him in reuniting the two Thackeray cousins. “Balasaheb Thackeray must be blessing me. I was told it was supposed to be a ‘vijay’ (victory) rally, but it turned out to be a ‘rudali’ speech,” Fadnavis said in a veiled reference to Uddhav. “Rudali” refers to a female professional mourner in certain regions, particularly in Rajasthan, where they were hired to publicly express grief during funerals, especially in upper-caste families. Fadnavis said no word was spoken about Marathi at the event and the speech (delivered by Uddhav) focused on how his Government was toppled and how they can regain power.

 

“The rally was not Vijay utsav but a ‘rudali’ darshan,” the Chief Minister said. He stated that despite ruling the Mumbai civic body for 25 years, they (the undivided Sena) failed to bring in development. “Conversely, under Modi’s leadership, we have transformed Mumbai. We gave Marathi people their rightful homes at BDD and Patra chawls (tenements), which made them (Uddhav-led) jealous,” he said. The Chief Minister said he was proud to be Marathi and Hindu. “All Marathi and non-Marathi people are with us”.