Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 7: Following the joint rally by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray in Worli, Transport Minister and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Pratap Sarnaik launched a scathing attack on the Thackeray brothers through an emotional letter addressed to Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
In his strongly-worded letter, Sarnaik questioned the brothers' sudden unity under the banner of Marathi identity. "If they are truly concerned about Marathi pride today, what were they doing when they split years ago?" he asked, accusing them of politicising the Marathi cause ahead of the crucial BMC elections.
Drawing a sharp analogy, Sarnaik said, “Like the folk tale of a demon whose life is hidden in a parrot, their life lies in the power of the BMC. Their souls reside in its coffers.” He accused Uddhav Thackeray's faction of using Marathi pride as a mask while failing to uplift the community during their rule, citing declining Marathi-medium schools and alleged COVID-era corruption.
The minister also hit out at Raj Thackeray, reminding that he had walked out of the Shiv Sena in 2006 over issues related to Marathi identity, only to now align with the same leadership. “What kind of politics is this?” he asked, questioning whether the public had become blind to this “hypocrisy”.
Sarnaik also criticised the Thackeray factions for neglecting core issues such as youth employment and entrepreneurship. “They cry over Marathi language, while their own families send English wedding invites. Their followers watch from AC offices as Marathi youth take to the streets,” he said.
He further alleged that both UBT and MNS leaderships have intentionally kept Marathi youth away from business opportunities. “Because if the youth become self-reliant, their political shops will shut,” he warned.
Expressing full support for CM Eknath Shinde, Sarnaik wrote, “You are the true heir of Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology. Despite health challenges, you continue to work tirelessly for the people. As someone who has worked with you for 30 years, I am proud to be by your side.”
He concluded by urging Shinde to continue his development-centric leadership: “The Marathi community and their hearts are with you. Keep leading us forward.”