Mumbai, Jul 20 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has asserted it is necessary for him and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray to come together as both are fighting for the Marathi language and people.
In the second and last part of his interview with Saamana’s executive editor and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut published in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece on Sunday, the former state chief minister also said that on the issue of alliance, the Congress expressed an opinion that it will take a decision at the local level.
“If that is the case, it will happen that way,” he said.
The Congress is a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) along with the Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP).
Elections to various local and civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, are likely to be held later this year.
Uddhav Thackeray said he is ready to do anything for the Marathi language, Maharashtra “dharma” and “Marathi manoos” (Marathi people).
If anyone has an issue with him and Raj coming together, then it is their problem, he maintained.
To a question on ‘Marathi manoos’ coming together on the issue of Marathi, Thackeray said, “(Marathi manoos) should come together because whom are we fighting for? The Marathi manoos.” The buzz of rapprochement between the estranged cousins gained traction after the two addressed a mega victory rally earlier this month to celebrate the government’s rollback of the two contentious GRs on introducing Hindi for students of classes 1 to 5 in the state under the three-language formula.
Uddhav said now the two cousins can call each other and also meet, and there is no problem in it.
He asserted the Thackerays meet everyone openly.
Asked about the MVA and the alliance in the local body polls, he said, “It’s their (Congress) business. There was a discussion with the Congress and they were of the opinion that they will take a decision at the local level. Fair enough. If that is the case, it will happen that way.” Every party has its unit at the civic body level, Uddhav Thackeray noted.
“We will do what the parties (in the MVA) think is politically appropriate for them,” he added.
Uddhav also commented on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently referring to Sangh ideologue late Moropant Pingley’s remarks about stepping aside at the age of 75.
Speaking at the release of a book on the late RSS ideologue, Bhagwat had said, “Pingley once said…if you are honoured with a shawl after turning 75, it means that you should step aside and make way for others.” Uddhav said it is BJP’s internal matter to decide who will succeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turns 75 in September.
“They may have found an answer to this and may be that is why Bhagwat spoke,” he added. PTI PR GK BNM
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