
Reunification saga: Raj, Uddhav will wait till civic poll bugle is sounded
Raj added that any 'decision of forging a political alliance would be taken when the civic elections are announced'. This was concurred by his cousin, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
The Thackerays called attention to a possible reunification when they held the rally in Worli to celebrate the government withdrawing its decision to make the study of Marathi as third language in primary schools mandatory if students do not opt for any other language. The rally also led to excitement among the rank and file of both the parties as soon as Uddhav announced that they had 'come together to stay together in future'.
Following the event, while Sena (UBT) leaders have been candid about the tie-up, Raj instructed his leaders to exercise restraint, leading to speculations of his indecisiveness for the polls.
Speaking to journalists informally taking a break from a workshop with his leaders on Monday, Raj said: 'Let elections be declared; we will then take a call (on the alliance) depending on the existing political situation.'
In a similar vein, Uddhav Thackeray also said his party would adopt a wait-and-watch stance. 'The MNS chief has directed party leaders not to speak about the alliance. Let polls be announced, only then a decision will be taken,' Uddhav told the media, outside the Vidhan Bhavan, on Monday.
Uddhav's stand on Monday was contrary to that of the party the previous day, as expressed in Saamana. In an editorial, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut had called the reconciliation 'a need of the hour' to protect Maharashtra's interests. 'The very idea of Uddhav and Raj joining hands has rattled the ruling parties,' wrote Raut in his latest column in the party mouthpiece. 'Leaders in Delhi and Maharashtra are trembling. They know their politics will collapse like a house of cards if the brothers unite — especially Eknath Shinde.'
INDIA bloc must meet before polls, says Uddhav
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said leaders of the INDIA bloc must meet ahead of the Bihar elections and local body polls across Maharashtra, scheduled for later this year. The bloc, an alliance of around three dozen parties, was formed to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the run-up to the parliamentary elections last year. However, Thackeray pointed out, leaders of the INDIA bloc had not met even once since the Lok Sabha elections.
'Now Bihar elections and local body polls across Maharashtra are coming up, so INDIA bloc leaders should meet soon,' said Thackeray. He also said a decision on an alliance for local body elections would be taken only after the polls were formally announced.
While addressing the media in the state legislature premises, Thackeray also commented on developments in the Supreme Court case relating to the party's name and symbol. He welcomed the apex court's decision to hold its next hearing in August. 'It's good that the Supreme Court has decided to hold a hearing on the Shiv Sena party name and symbol case against the Election Commission of India (ECI). It would be great if it could also deliver its verdict in August. For us (Sena-UBT), the Supreme Court is the last ray of hope, which will decide on the theft of our party name and symbol,' said Thackeray.
'The ECI changed the name of our party and gave our name to thieves,' he said, referring to the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, who split the undivided party in 2022. 'It is not acceptable that the ECI can take a decision on such matters. ECI has the right to decide on party symbols but it cannot give a party's name to anyone of its choosing, and change the name of a party,' said Thackeray.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
No conflict between Marathi and Hindi: Maharashtra CM at JNU
New Delhi: Dismissing the ongoing Marathi-Hindi language war, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said there is no dispute between the two languages, and "those who revere Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj cannot be narrow-minded about the language issue". Speaking at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), he said that while some people "may have a problem with Shivaji Maharaj, those are very few in number". Calling Marathi a symbol of pride, the CM—addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Kusumagraj Special Centre for Marathi Language, Literature and Culture at JNU—said it was among India's ancient languages and had enriched the country's cultural legacy. "Marathi language is an ancient language of India. It has enriched the whole of India," he said, adding, "Just as a Marathi curriculum is being introduced at JNU, the same should happen in other universities as well. " He also emphasised that language should not be a source of conflict. "Language cannot be a medium of dispute. Marathi, as a mother tongue, is our pride," he said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Taking a dig at the opposition, he said, "Some people seem to have an allergy to Shivaji Maharaj — such people can be counted on one's fingers." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo During the event, Fadnavis and his cabinet minister, Uday Samant, delivered their entire speeches in Marathi. JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit's address also occasionally included Marathi. The event was moderated entirely in Marathi. The CM also laid the foundation stone for the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies at JNU. The current head of the Maratha royal family of Thanjavur, Shivaji Rajah Bhonsle Chattrapathi, was also present on the occasion. Fadnavis said it was a matter of pride that a Marathi language study centre was being launched at the national capital's premier university. "A centre for the study of Marathi language is being started and there is talk of installing a statue of Shivaji Maharaj. I welcome this move," he said. He added that all Indian languages are given equal respect although English language is sometimes given undue importance. "English is sometimes given too much importance. Seeing this, it often feels very painful," he said. Maharashtra cabinet minister Uday Samant, while addressing the event, announced that the university has shown a positive attitude towards a proposal of installing a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on campus and holding discussions on the same. JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said, "We are the most nationalist university, with our alumni holding top positions in the armed forces." Taking a jibe at the Left she added, "They were in power for so many years but never appointed a woman as vice-chancellor." She invited students across the country to join JNU by saying, "Write CUET and NET and come to JNU to study." The VC also announced that the university plans to launch an annual "National Dialogue" platform to bring together scholars and policymakers.


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Language issue surfaces again during BCC meeting
Belagavi: The Kannada-Marathi issue surfaced again during the council meeting of the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) on Thursday. Controversy erupted after the MES corporator demanded that BCC documents be provided in the Marathi language. Kannada councillors immediately opposed the statement. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), led by Deepak Gudaganatti, staged a protest outside the BCC office, demanding the cancellation of the membership of MES corporators who raised the language issue in BCC. The demand of providing the proceedings and notice of the meeting in Marathi during the general council meeting led to a heated debate at the city corporation meeting. As the meeting began, members supported by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), including Ravi Salunkhe, Vaishali Bhatkande, and Shivaji Mandolikar, demanded that the proceedings of the meeting and the notice to attend the meeting be given in Marathi. The BJP and Congress corporators objected to this and demanded that Kannada be made mandatory. Corporators, including Ramesh Sontakki, stated that there are many genuine Kannadigas in Akkalkot and Jatt in Maharashtra. However, the documents are being issued in Marathi. In such a situation, the BCC should not allow the proceedings in Marathi. The members expressed their anger and demanded that those who took an anti-national stance be disqualified. As the issue of Marathi speakers rioting in the BCC went viral on social media, KRV activists started protesting at the premises of BCC. KRV activists demanded the dismissal of the pro-Marathi members. The police, who rushed to the spot, discussed the matter with the KRV activists. Several civic issues, including encroachment, the collection of rent, and court issues of disputed properties of BCC, also came to the forefront of discussion in the meeting. Corporator Ravi Dhotre and ruling party leader Hanumant Kongali objected that the officials were negligent despite being instructed to follow the rules of law. Revenue department commissioner Reshma Talikoti said in her briefing that Rs 48 crore revenue was collected in the last four months from corporation properties. The issue of allowing agencies to collect land rent from street vendors was raised during the meeting. Members instructed the officials not to allow the agencies selected through tender to pay money in instalments. Members received information from BCC officials regarding the repair of 786 borewells in the city and the functioning of RO plants. MLA Abhay Patil objected that the ruling party in the state is not providing funds for development works. There is no money to drill new borewells. MLA Asif (Raju) Sait, mayor Mangesh Pawar, deputy mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, commissioner Shubha B, and officials attended the meeting.


Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: Aam & Khaas
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's annual 'mango and chaat party', a get-together of MPs and other leaders on the lawns of his official residence in the Capital, went international this year with the presence of a large number of diplomats, reflecting the MP's recent engagements with foreign countries as part of the outreach programme post-Operation Sindoor. Another big difference from previous years was the absence of senior Congress leaders who used to be among prominent guests at the event. Some of Tharoor's colleagues from Kerala — Benny Behanan, Hibi Eden and Dean Kuriakose (Congress), John Brittas and V Sivadasan (CPM) and N K Premachandran (RSP) — showed up at his party. Also present were Mahua Moitra (TMC) along with her husband and former MP Pinaki Misra, T Sumathy (DMK), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena-Shinde) with his wife Pooja Shetty, K Laxman and Rekha Sharma (BJP), among others. Amid the ongoing Hindi-Marathi row, senior BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had to face the ire of angry Maharashtra women MPs outside the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The women MPs, led by Congress's Varsha Gaikwad, surrounded Dubey as he was coming out of the Lower House and shouted at him: 'You are against Maharashtra? Who are you planning to thrash?' Dubey walked away calmly but the group followed him to the MPs' canteen. Varsha again shouted at the BJP MP as he came out of the canteen. A visibly embarrassed Dubey was seen trying to pacify the Congress leader saying 'it's not like that…' The Maharashtra MPs were angry about Dubey's reported remark that 'those who beat up Hindi speakers would be thrashed by the public wherever they go'.