Fadnavis has done what Bal Thackeray could not, says Raj Thackeray

MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday, 5 July, said the three-language formula imposed by the state government was a precursor to its plan to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, as he shared the political stage with his cousin Uddhav after almost 20 years.

Addressing a "victory" rally, Raj Thackeray, in a lighter vein, said Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has managed to bring him and Uddhav together, a feat he said even Balasaheb Thackeray could not accomplish.

After two decades, Uddhav and Raj shared the public stage and hosted a victory gathering, titled 'Awaj Marathicha', to celebrate the rollback of two GRs issued earlier by the government introducing Hindi as a third language from class 1 in state schools.

"The Maharashtra government rolled back the decision on the three-language formula due to the strong unity shown by Marathi people. This decision was a precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra," the MNS chief said with Uddhav seated on the stage.

Uddhav Thackeray, in his turn, said, "We have come together to stay together," adding that "We won't let government impose Hindi on us".

With PTI inputs