Have come together to stay together: Uddhav at joint rally with cousin Raj Thackeray
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.
PTI
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Photo: PTI
Mumbai, 5 July
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.
After he quit Shiv Sena in 2005 over apparent differences with his
cousin, Raj Thackeray formed the MNS and has been projecting it as the true
champion of the cause of the sons-of-the-soil.
The parties, led by the cousins, had since contested elections
against each other notwithstanding the intermittent calls for reunion raised by
certain quarters.
As the BJP expanded its footprint on the political landscape of
Maharashtra and joined hands with Eknath Shinde, who split Shiv Sena in 2022,
and NCP, the chorus for the reunion of the Thackeray brothers grew shriller
over the last four months.
The state government's flip-flop on the three-language policy and
the introduction of Hindi as a third language provided a much-needed common
cause.
On Saturday, the political rancour seems dissipated, at least on
the face of it, into the bonhomie at the event.
The coming together of the estranged cousins-turned-comrades has
not only enthused cadres of both parties, but it could also give a lifeline to
both parties, which are struggling to regain their footing after drubbings in
the assembly polls last year.
The Sena (UBT) had won 20 seats in the polls while the Sena led by
Eknath Shinde bagged 57. The MNS drew a blank.
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.
Rejecting the opposition's "convent education" jibe at
his son, Raj said many politicians and film stars in South India studied in
English schools but are proud of Tamil and Telugu languages.
The Opposition has often targeted Raj and Uddhav over the convent
schooling of their sons- Amit and Aaditya, respectively.
"Balasaheb Thackeray had studied in an English school, worked
in an English newspaper, but he never compromised on the status of
Marathi," Raj Thackeray said.
"Marathi manoos (people) fought amongst themselves and slaves
of Delhi started ruling us," he said in a dig at Deputy Chief Minister
Eknath Shinde.
He also slammed Shinde for raising 'Jai Gujarat' slogan at an
event attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and called it an act of
desperation.
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 Worli, the constituency of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA AadityaThackeray, several hoardings featuring Raj and Uddhav dotted the skyline.
Leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have put up banners at several places,
appealing to the two brothers to remain united forever for the cause of the
Marathi manoos.
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