Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 5: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde launched a scathing attack on Uddhav Thackeray, accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief of displaying "selfishness and lust for power" during his joint rally with Raj Thackeray.

Responding to Friday's rally where the Thackeray cousins shared a stage for the first time in two decades, Shinde alleged that while Raj Thackeray genuinely spoke for the Marathi language, Uddhav used the platform to vent "anger, hatred and political ambition."

“Raj Thackeray’s commitment to the Marathi language was clear. Uddhav, on the other hand, had no message for Marathi pride — only a thirst for the chair,” Shinde claimed, reacting to the duo’s rally celebrating the government’s reversal of a plan to make Hindi compulsory from Class 1.

Interestingly, while Shinde spared Raj Thackeray from criticism, he blamed Uddhav Thackeray for politicising the event. He questioned why Uddhav didn’t apologise to Marathi-speaking citizens for initially accepting the Hindi-from-Class-1 proposal during his tenure as CM.

“Instead of admitting his past actions, he used the rally as a political stage. People expected a commitment to Marathi culture — but instead saw a selfish political agenda,” said Shinde.

Taking a veiled jab, Shinde referred to Uddhav’s earlier dig — “Dho dala, utega nahi saala” — and responded, “Three years ago, we revolted against injustice. We had only begun to rise, and yet they crumbled. Today, they’re trying to get up by clinging to others.”

He also pointed to his tenure’s contributions to Marathi identity:

“When I was CM, we adopted the state anthem and pushed for classical language status for Marathi, which Prime Minister Modi supported immediately. And yet, even Modi was criticised at the rally today — which only reveals Uddhav’s bitterness.”

Shinde challenged Uddhav Thackeray to answer for the decline in Marathi student enrollment in Mumbai schools and alleged that Marathi-speaking citizens were marginalised under his leadership.

“He betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology in 2019 and aligned with those who opposed Hindutva. The people responded in 2024 — Shiv Sena won 60 seats while his faction, Shiv Sena (UBT), managed only 20,” Shinde said.

He concluded by asserting that Uddhav’s political downfall was self-inflicted and driven by a desire for power, not service.