NEW DELHI: Two decades after going their separate ways, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared the stage, and a hug, at Mumbai's Worli Dome, signalling a dramatic political thaw.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chiefs came together at the "Awaz Marathicha" rally to oppose what they called the state government's bid to "impose" Hindi over Maharashtra.
While addressing the rally, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that he has come to "stay together" with his brother Raj Thackeray. The MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) are jointly opposing the alleged Hindi imposition by the state.
"We have come together to stay together", Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering.
The former Maharashtra CM stated that ever since the announcement of this program, everyone was "eagerly" waiting for his and Raj Thackeray's speech. He hailed Raj Thackeray's vocal skills and stated that he has always delivered an "outstanding" speech, so there is no need for him to speak.
"Since we announced this program, everyone was eagerly waiting for our speech today, but in my view, we are both coming together, and this stage was more important than our speeches. Raj has already given a very outstanding speech, and I think there is no need for me to speak now", Uddhav Thackeray said, according to news agency ANI.
Uddhav Thackeray also said he and Raj Thackeray together "will capture power in Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra".
Hitting out at the Centre and the Maharashtra government , Uddhav Thackeray questioned what the government has done in its tenure of 11 years for Maharashtra and Mumbai, while referring to him being asked what the Shiv Sena (UBT) has done for Mumbai being in the BMC.
Uddhav alleged that the Centre has pushed Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat, and these are all attempts to break the "backbone" of Maharashtra.
"They always ask us what we did for the Marathi people in Mumbai during our rule in BMC. They all forced Marathi people to go out of Mumbai, but now we are asking a question: in the last 11 years of your rule, what have you done? You have pushed away Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat. Businesses are being transferred to Gujarat. Big offices are going to Gujarat. The diamond business has already shifted to Gujarat, so you have made all attempts to break the backbone of Maharashtra and continue to do that, and you are asking questions to us", Uddhav Thackeray said.
Earlier, MNS chief Raj Thackeray launched a veiled attack on Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and said the CM did what even Balasaheb Thackeray could not -- bring the two estranged brothers together.
Thackerays also shared a hug at the joint rally after the Maharashtra government scrapped two Government Resolutions (GRs) to introduce Hindi as the third language.
The Thackeray brothers garlanded the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the rally, which marked a symbolic show of unity between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Addressing the gathering, Raj Thackeray said, "I had said in one of my interviews that my Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fight. Today, after 20 years, Uddhav and I have come together. What Balasaheb could not do, Devendra Fadnavis did it... The work of bringing both of us together."
"The Maharashtra Government rolled back the decision on the three-language formula due to the strong unity shown by Marathi people. This decision was a precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra," the MNS chief said with Uddhav seated on the stage, reported PTI.
Attacking the BJP-led Mahayuti during his address, Raj Thackeray said: "How did they suddenly bring in the imposition of Hindi without any discussion? For what purpose, and for whom? This is an injustice to young children. Without any consultation, you’re trying to force it upon us. You may rule the assembly - but we rule the streets."
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chiefs came together at the "Awaz Marathicha" rally to oppose what they called the state government's bid to "impose" Hindi over Maharashtra.
While addressing the rally, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that he has come to "stay together" with his brother Raj Thackeray. The MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) are jointly opposing the alleged Hindi imposition by the state.
"We have come together to stay together", Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering.
The former Maharashtra CM stated that ever since the announcement of this program, everyone was "eagerly" waiting for his and Raj Thackeray's speech. He hailed Raj Thackeray's vocal skills and stated that he has always delivered an "outstanding" speech, so there is no need for him to speak.
"Since we announced this program, everyone was eagerly waiting for our speech today, but in my view, we are both coming together, and this stage was more important than our speeches. Raj has already given a very outstanding speech, and I think there is no need for me to speak now", Uddhav Thackeray said, according to news agency ANI.
Uddhav Thackeray also said he and Raj Thackeray together "will capture power in Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra".
Hitting out at the Centre and the Maharashtra government , Uddhav Thackeray questioned what the government has done in its tenure of 11 years for Maharashtra and Mumbai, while referring to him being asked what the Shiv Sena (UBT) has done for Mumbai being in the BMC.
Uddhav alleged that the Centre has pushed Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat, and these are all attempts to break the "backbone" of Maharashtra.
"They always ask us what we did for the Marathi people in Mumbai during our rule in BMC. They all forced Marathi people to go out of Mumbai, but now we are asking a question: in the last 11 years of your rule, what have you done? You have pushed away Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat. Businesses are being transferred to Gujarat. Big offices are going to Gujarat. The diamond business has already shifted to Gujarat, so you have made all attempts to break the backbone of Maharashtra and continue to do that, and you are asking questions to us", Uddhav Thackeray said.
Earlier, MNS chief Raj Thackeray launched a veiled attack on Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and said the CM did what even Balasaheb Thackeray could not -- bring the two estranged brothers together.
Thackerays also shared a hug at the joint rally after the Maharashtra government scrapped two Government Resolutions (GRs) to introduce Hindi as the third language.
The Thackeray brothers garlanded the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the rally, which marked a symbolic show of unity between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Addressing the gathering, Raj Thackeray said, "I had said in one of my interviews that my Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fight. Today, after 20 years, Uddhav and I have come together. What Balasaheb could not do, Devendra Fadnavis did it... The work of bringing both of us together."
"The Maharashtra Government rolled back the decision on the three-language formula due to the strong unity shown by Marathi people. This decision was a precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra," the MNS chief said with Uddhav seated on the stage, reported PTI.
Attacking the BJP-led Mahayuti during his address, Raj Thackeray said: "How did they suddenly bring in the imposition of Hindi without any discussion? For what purpose, and for whom? This is an injustice to young children. Without any consultation, you’re trying to force it upon us. You may rule the assembly - but we rule the streets."
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