Latest news with #Marathis
India Gazette
15 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"They don't want Marathi parties to unite": Uddhav Thackeray hints at alliance with MNS on Sena foundation day
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 20 (ANI): Indicating that the option of an alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was on the cards, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray said he would do what was in the minds of people of the state. The Shiv Sena (UBT) President also took a dig at the Mahayuti alliance, saying that the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena do not want Marathi parties to unite. The former Maharashtra Chief Minister, addressing the party's foundation day event on Thursday, said if the BJP dared to finish Thackeray, then he would 'finish off' the BJP. '... What people want will happen. We will see how it is to be done. The BJP and Shinde Sena do not want Marathi parties to unite. If you try to finish the Thackeray brand, we will finish off the BJP,' Thackeray said. Uddhav said he would not allow the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra. He remarked that just ahead of the BMC polls, the imposition of Hindi was nothing but an attempt to create division among Marathis and non-Marathis. 'The imposition of Hindi in the state will not be allowed at any cost. The BJP wants to create a divide between Marathi and Hindi speakers on the eve of civic polls,' the Former Maharashtra CM said. There has been speculation of Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) coming together ahead of the BMC polls, which are expected to happen in October this year. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slammed the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra for the Indrayani River bridge collapse in Pune and asked Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar whether he would take responsibility for the accident, as he is the guardian minister of Pune. 'Ajit Pawar is the guardian minister of Pune, so will he take responsibility for the accident?' Raut said in a press conference here. Four people were killed when an old bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed. He also criticised the Maharashtra government over the daily accidents occurring since it came to power, calling it a 'cursed government' (Panauti Sarkar). He also raised concerns about the demolition of a platform (chabutra) near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan. Referring to an event held there a few months ago, Raut questioned whether corruption was involved. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Will finish off BJP': Uddhav Thackeray hints at alliance with Raj Thackeray
Indicating that the option of an alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was on the cards, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray said he would do what was in the minds of people of the state. The Shiv Sena (UBT) President also took a dig at the Mahayuti alliance, saying that the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena do not want Marathi parties to unite. The former Maharashtra Chief Minister, addressing the party's foundation day event on Thursday, said if the BJP dared to finish Thackeray, then he would "finish off" the BJP. "... What people want will happen. We will see how it is to be done. The BJP and Shinde Sena do not want Marathi parties to unite. If you try to finish the Thackeray brand, we will finish off the BJP," Thackeray said. Uddhav said he would not allow the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra. He remarked that just ahead of the BMC polls, the imposition of Hindi was nothing but an attempt to create division among Marathis and non-Marathis. "The imposition of Hindi in the state will not be allowed at any cost. The BJP wants to create a divide between Marathi and Hindi speakers on the eve of civic polls," the Former Maharashtra CM said. There has been speculation of Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) coming together ahead of the BMC polls, which are expected to happen in October this year. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slammed the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra for the Indrayani River bridge collapse in Pune and asked Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar whether he would take responsibility for the accident, as he is the guardian minister of Pune. "Ajit Pawar is the guardian minister of Pune, so will he take responsibility for the accident?" Raut said in a press conference here. Four people were killed when an old bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed. He also criticised the Maharashtra government over the daily accidents occurring since it came to power, calling it a "cursed government" (Panauti Sarkar). He also raised concerns about the demolition of a platform (chabutra) near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan. Referring to an event held there a few months ago, Raut questioned whether corruption was involved.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
On Sena foundation day, Uddhav leaves door open for MNS as he says BJP trying to prevent Marathi unity
Mumbai: Indicating that the option of an alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was on the cards, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said he would do what was in the minds of Shiv Sainiks and the people of the state, and that people would know about it soon. Uddhav mentioned that to prevent this from happening, "servants of their masters" were meeting people in hotels, referring to a recent meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at a Bandra hotel. Uddhav stated that the BJP was trying to prevent the Marathi manoos from coming together in Mumbai. Uddhav also took a dig at PM Narendra Modi over Operation Sindoor, saying that the country needs a prime minister and Modi was just the BJP's prime minister. Uddhav said he would not allow the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra and the Centre must first make Hindi compulsory in Gujarat. He remarked that just ahead of the BMC polls, the imposition of Hindi was nothing but an attempt to create division among Marathis and non-Marathis. "They have not gained control of Mumbai, they are worried about what will happen to the master's friend, what will happen to Adani after Mumbai is back in our hands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 境界のないゲームを発見する BuzzDaily Winners ゲームをプレイ Undo Due to this, efforts are being made to prevent the power of the Marathi people from coming together. Mumbai belongs to us. They are trying to divide and rule and split the Marathi manoos and prevent their strength from coming together," Uddhav said while speaking at an event on the 59th anniversary of the Shiv Sena at Sion's Shanmukhananda Hall. "Shethji (master) and their servants are celebrating their anniversary there today. They are saying that it will not happen, it will not happen (Sena UBT's alliance with MNS). But what do you want to do? We will see what we have to do. If you think that you will erase the brand of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, we will erase your name," Uddhav said. "What is the need to make Hindi mandatory? We are not against Hindi, but we will not tolerate Hindi imposition. BJP planned all this (making Hindi compulsory) to create a fight between Marathis and non-Marathis on the eve of elections. After diverting attention, they are free to commit corruption. Till now, they cheated on the promises they made. They did not keep their promises to the people in the elections. Then how could they keep the promise they made to me, the promise of 2.5 years as chief minister? When we formed the INDIA bloc, you were not ashamed to compare us with the Indian Mujahideen. You compare us with terrorists and send our own MPs all over the world to tell us what you have done," Uddhav said. "The country needs a home minister, not the burglar Amit Shah. Today the country needs a defence minister, not the goon-protecting Devendra Fadnavis and Rajnath Singh," Uddhav said.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amid talk of reunion of Thackeray cousins, Fadnavis meets with Raj Thackeray
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had a hush-hush meeting with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at a Mumbai hotel on Thursday amid the talk of the latter's reconciliation with his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray, people aware of the matter said. The people said the meeting was not mentioned in Fadnavis's schedule. They added that Thackeray arrived at the hotel around 9.40am, and Fadnavis 40 minutes later. The meeting lasted about an hour, sparking speculation that Fadnavis was trying to prevent Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's reconciliation, as it is expected to consolidate the Marathi vote bank ahead of the Mumbai civic polls. Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray are believed to have explored the possibility of including the MNS in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition and a seat adjustment. Neither Fadnavis nor Raj Thackeray commented on the meeting. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said he did not know why they met and what they discussed. 'I cannot comment.' Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar said that Raj Thackeray has said they could come together for the benefit of Maharashtra. He added that Uddhav Thackeray gave a positive response. 'A poll of Marathis shows 86% want two cousins to come together. There is a positive atmosphere between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS...' Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said it was wrong to draw conclusions about the meeting. He added they are also interested in an alliance with the MNS. In April, Raj Thackeray spoke about uniting with his cousin in the interest of Marathis. In a podcast, he said that he had no issues working with Uddhav Thackeray in the undivided Shiv Sena. He said that for a bigger cause, their fights and issues are trivial. At a separate event, Uddhav Thackeray said he was ready to put aside 'trivial' fights provided that those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. He appealed to everyone to come together for the sake of the Marathi people. Uddhav Thackeray said his cousin should not host anti-Maharashtra people and parties anymore. The comment came after Shinde, who engineered the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena to join the BJP-led alliance, visited Raj Thackeray's residence. Uddhav Thackeray said Raj Thackeray cannot support the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls and oppose it during the assembly elections, and compromise. The MNS has switched sides multiple times. Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena in January 2006, blaming Uddhav Thackeray for promoting him to do that. He formed the MNS, which won 13 seats in the 2009 assembly elections. The MNS's performance has since been dismal. It failed to win any seats in the 2024 assembly polls. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena is a key partner of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. MNS has backed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Raj Thackeray asks MNS leaders not to speak about reconciliation with Uddhav
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday directed his party leaders not to speak on the issue of reconciliation with his estranged cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, until the former returns from abroad on April 30, people aware of the matter said. The direction came as MNS's second-rung leaders responded negatively after Raj and Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday indicated their readiness to reconcile in the interest of Maharashtra and native Marathi speakers. MNS Mumbai chief Sandeep Deshpande, who was among those who accused Uddhav Thackeray of betrayal , said Raj Thackeray will speak on the issue after returning. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) lawmaker Sanjay Raut said that no one from their party opposed the reconciliation. Raut urged MNS leaders to forget the past for a new start. An editorial in Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) mouthpiece Saamana on Monday called for the need for the reconciliation of Raj and Uddhav Thackeray for Marathis and Maharashtra. The editorial lauded Raj Thackeray for consistently following the Marathi agenda. It accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to hand over control of Mumbai to non-Marathi people. 'If we fail to reunite, future generations will not forgive us.' On Saturday, Raj Thackeray said uniting in the interest of Marathis was not difficult. In a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, he added that he had no issues working with Uddhav Thackeray in the undivided Shiv Sena. He said that for a bigger cause, their fights and issues are trivial. At a separate event, Uddhav Thackeray said he was ready to put aside 'trivial' fights provided that those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. He appealed to everyone to come together for the sake of the Marathi people. Uddhav Thackeray said his cousin should not host anti-Maharashtra people and parties anymore. The comment came after deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who engineered the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena to join the BJP-led alliance, visited Raj Thackeray's residence. Uddhav Thackeray said Raj Thackeray cannot support the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls and oppose it during the assembly elections, and compromise. The MNS has switched sides multiple times. Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena in January 2006, blaming Uddhav Thackeray for promoting him to do that. He formed the MNS, which won 13 seats in the 2009 assembly elections. The MNS's performance has since been dismal. It failed to win any seats in the 2024 assembly polls. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena is a key partner of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. MNS has backed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. The estranged cousins indicated reconciliation amid opposition to the 'imposition' of Hindi in Maharashtra after the BJP-led state government approved a three-language formula under the National Education Policy, including teaching Hindi from Class 1.
