Mumbai, Jul 15 (PTI) Former Union minister and BJP leader Ram Naik has said a language row is being fuelled in Maharashtra in view of the ensuing polls to local bodies, especially the BMC, and noted Thackeray cousins Raj and Uddhav see political opportunity in such emotive issues.
He said though Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray shared the stage in Mumbai on July 5 to champion the cause of Marathi ‘manoos’ (Marathi speakers) and oppose Hindi ‘imposition’, they were yet to announce a formal alliance and it remains to be seen how many parties join them.
In an interview to PTI Videos, Naik maintained that in past elections, the Thackeray cousins have failed to receive pan-Maharashtra recognition and their parties have no political or electoral influence outside their home state.
A battle over Marathi language and identity has been raging in Maharashtra, where the BJP-led Mahayuti government is facing accusations of imposing Hindi with the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT) leading the charge.
On June 29, amid a growing chorus against the introduction of Hindi in English and Marathi schools from Classes 1 to 5, the state cabinet withdrew two government orders on the implementation of the three-language policy.
Asked about the language row, Naik affirmed, “They (Shiv Sena UBT and MNS) see opportunity (in such issues). There are local body elections in the state, especially the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), but such things are not liked by people.” Asked if the image of Maharashtra gets sullied when videos of non-Marathi speakers getting thrashed in the states goes rival, the former Uttar Pradesh governor replied in the negative.
“No. I don’t think the state’s image gets dented due to such incidents because the mandate is with the BJP. The BJP has positive image in the minds of people. They (MNS and Sena UBT) don’t have any impact in other states. Though people in Maharashtra might speak about it, I don’t think this will have any impact in other parts of the country,” the former Lok Sabha MP noted.
“There are many people from Uttar Pradesh who have been staying in Mumbai for generations. I think this controversy (on Hind language) is happening in the wake of local body elections,” said the veteran politician.
On a question about the ‘Thackeray brand’ and its acceptance by voters, Naik insisted Raj and Uddhav lack state-wide appeal.
“In the past, they have not received anything special in Maharashtra elections. One needs to see which parties join them. I would also like to say that in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, the security deposit of several MNS candidates were forfeited,” he said.
Naik pointed out that the Thackeray cousins, who parted ways in 2005, were yet to announce a formal pre-poll alliance.
“They (Raj and Uddhav) shared the stage and jointly addressed a rally (on July 5), but they have not yet announced an alliance,” averred the former Mumbai MP.
Naik claimed Raj Thackeray won’t succeed in getting the votes of Marathi ‘manoos’ as he or his party has not been doing ground-level work.
“After elections, political parties do grassroots work and reach out to people. But I don’t think the MNS has done any such work,” he maintained.
Asked about RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement that leaders should think of retirement from active politics once they attain the age of 75 and make way for younger colleagues, Naik sought to disagree with the view and said there was no upper age limit in the BJP.
“There is nothing like that and even at 92, I am working. I have won five Lok Sabha elections and before that three Vidhan Sabha elections too. The BJP has not made any decision in regards to 75 years of age (for its leaders) and in the future, too, it won’t happen,” Naik added. PTI PS RSY
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