Sena (UBT), MNS Coming Together To Capture BMC, Not For Love Of Marathi: Sarnaik
7 July 2025 8:54 AM IST7 July 2025 8:54 AM IST
Sarnaik claimed the Sena (UBT) fooled Marathi manoos in the name of the Marathi language.
Shiv Sena MLA and Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik. (Image/X)
Mumbai: Shiv Sena MLA and Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik has said people are wise to understand that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS have come together to win power in the Mumbai civic body and not in the interest of Marathi.
Sarnaik on Sunday also said the Marathi language will be taught to those who are willing to learn at the Shiv Sena shakhas.
He credited Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde for giving justice to Marathi manoos and ensuring classical language status for the Marathi language by following up with the Centre.
In a letter to Shinde, Sarnaik on Sunday said the Sena (undivided) controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for 25 years.
During this period, the Marathi manoos was driven out of the hotel industry, real estate, and gold and silver jewellery shops. Those playing politics over the Marathi language never thought of the common Marathi people.
"People are wise enough to know that they (Sena UBT and MNS) have come to win power in the BMC. Their (Sena UBT's) soul is stuck in the BMC's coffers. The politics of Sena (UBT) has been very selfish, fake and treacherous. Which is why their colleagues are abandoning the party," Sarnaik said.
His remarks came a day after Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), reunited after almost 20 years during a "victory" rally in Mumbai to celebrate the state government's rollback of two GRs introducing Hindi as a third language in primary schools.
Sarnaik said the victory rally, held in Worli area here, bore the flag of selfishness and its agenda was to capture power in the BMC.
The Sena (UBT) bagged votes with a fake narrative that Mumbai will be separated from Maharashtra, but failed to save Marathi schools even after doing politics in the name of the local language, the minister said.
"The MNS and the Sena (UBT) keep saying that they have come together in the interest of Marathi. So, for whose interest did they separate years ago? There is no love for Marathi, its culture and language, and Marathi manoos," he said.
Raj Thackeray founded the MNS in 2006 after quitting the then undivided Shiv Sena, blaming Uddhav Thackeray for his exit.
Sarnaik claimed the Sena (UBT) fooled Marathi manoos in the name of the Marathi language.
Who is to be blamed for Marathi manoos moving out of Mumbai to distant suburbs like Badlapur, Nalasopara and Virar? he asked.
Sarnaik said Raj Thackeray formed the MNS to champion the cause of Marathi, however, in the last 19 years, the situation has aggravated.
People know that Raj Thackeray's speeches only get cheers and do not translate into votes.
Sarnaik hailed Eknath Shinde for taking forward the legacy and cause of Marathi manoos and Maharashtra dharma. He undertook several infrastructure projects to give justice to the common Marathi people.
"You (Shinde) followed up with the Centre to ensure Marathi gets a classical language status. You won 60 seats in the Maharashtra elections by winning hearts of the people," Sarnaik added.
Speaking to reporters in Thane, Sarnaik said the Marathi language will be taught to those who are willing to learn at the Sena shakhas or local offices in his Ovala-Majiwada constituency which extends to Bhayandar.
He also slammed the attack on a north Indian shopkeeper from Bhayander (in Thane district) by MNS activists for not speaking Marathi.
"People from all regions of the country are living amicably in Bhayander, however, some forces have polluted this cordial atmosphere by beating a shopkeeper.
"Against the backdrop of this atmosphere, we have decided to impart the basic education of Marathi language and words in Shiv Sena shakhas", he added.
( Source : PTI )
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