Sena (UBT) and MNS come together to capture BMC, not for love of Marathi: Sarnaik

Mumbai, Jul 6 (PTI) Shiv Sena MLA and Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik on Sunday said people are wise to understand that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS have come together to win power in the Mumbai civic body and not in the interest of Marathi.

He credited Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde for giving justice to Marathi manoos and ensuring classical language status for the Marathi language by following up with the Centre.

In a letter to Shinde, Sarnaik stated that the Sena (undivided) controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for 25 years.

During this period, the Marathi manoos was driven out of the hotel industry, real estate, and gold and silver jewellery shops. Those playing politics over the Marathi language never thought of the common Marathi people.

"People are wise enough to know that they (Sena UBT and MNS) have come to win power in the BMC. Their (the Sena UBT's) soul is stuck in the coffers of the BMC. UBT's politics has been very selfish, fake and treacherous. Which is why UBT's colleagues are abandoning the party," Sarnaik said.

His remarks came a day after Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray, who heads MNS, reunited after almost 20 years during a "victory" rally in Worli to celebrate the state government's rollback of two GRs introducing Hindi as a third language in primary schools.

Sarnaik said the victory rally in the Worli bore the flag of selfishness and its agenda was to capture power in the BMC.

He said (Sena) UBT bagged votes with a fake narrative that Mumbai will be separated from Maharashtra, but failed to save Marathi schools even after doing politics in the name of the local language.

"The MNS and the Sena (UBT) keep saying that they have come together in the interest of Marathi. So, for whose interest did they separate years ago? There is no love for Marathi, its culture and language, and Marathi manoos," he said.

Raj Thackeray founded the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in 2006 after quitting the undivided Shiv Sena, blaming Uddhav for his exit.

Sarniak claimed that the Sena (UBT) fooled Marathi manoos in the name of the Marathi language.

Who is to be blamed for Marathi manoos moving out of Mumbai to distant suburbs like Badlapur, Nalasopara and Virar, he asked.

Sarnaik said Raj Thackeray formed the MNS to champion the cause of Marathi, however, in the last 19 years, the situation has aggravated.

People know that Raj Thackeray's speeches only get cheers and translate into votes.

Sarnaik hailed Eknath Shinde for taking forward the legacy and cause of Marathi manoos and Maharashtra dharma. He undertook several infrastructure projects to give justice to the common Marathi people.

"You (Shinde) followed up with the Centre to ensure Marathi gets a classical language status. You won 60 seats in the Maharashtra elections by winning the hearts of the people," Sarnaik added.

Speaking to reporters in Thane, Sarnaik said the Marathi language will be taught to those who are willing to learn at the Sena shakhas or local offices in his Ovala-Majiwada constituency which extends to Bhayandar.

He also slammed the attack on a north Indian shopkeeper from Bhayandar by MNS activists for not speaking Marathi.

"People from all regions of the country are living amicably in Bhayander (in Thane district), however, some forces have polluted this cordial atmosphere by beating a shopkeeper.

"Against the backdrop of this atmosphere, we have decided to impart the basic education of the Marathi language and words in Shiv Sena shakhas", he added. PTI PR COR NSK