Swords out in open: Cong takes dig at Thackeray cousins for claiming credit on withdrawal of GRs

Mumbai: After Uddhav and Raj Thackeray hosted a joint rally claiming credit for the government's climbdown on the "imposition" of the Hindi language, the Congress reminded the cousins that the government's move was opposed by various sections across the state.

The Congress appeared sceptical of a potential political alliance between the two cousins.

Amid a fierce backlash against the introduction of the Hindi language in Maharashtra schools from Classes 1 to 5, the state cabinet on June 29 withdrew two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy.

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan stated that the introduction of Hindi as a third language from class 1 evoked statewide opposition.

"It's fine if Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray claim credit for the withdrawal of the GRs. If they come together politically, our best wishes," Chavan told PTI.

Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj, who head Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS respectively, hosted a joint "victory" rally to celebrate the rollback of two GRs on the introduction of Hindi as a third language from class 1.

"If the Thackerays want to celebrate the withdrawal of GRs, it's good," state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said.

He asserted that celebrating the withdrawal of Hindi language GRs and a potential political alliance between the two cousins are two separate issues.

Sapkal claimed he had written letters to 600 people from various sections to unite in opposition to the GRs and organised a series of meetings involving educationists and Marathi language experts.

"Everyone fought against the imposition of Hindi (language) from grade one (in state schools)," he said.