Hindi row: Congress slams Thackeray cousins for hogging credit for govt's rollback; casts doubt on reunion

NEW DELHI: Congress on Saturday slammed Uddhav and Raj Thackeray for hogging the credit for compelling the government to retreat from its decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra schools.

Hours after Uddhav and Raj held a joint victory rally in Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal reminded the cousins that the government's move was opposed by various sections of the society and not just by them.


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

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

Sapkal claimed that he himself 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.

This comes after Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chiefs came together at the "Awaz Marathicha" rally to celebrate the rollback on what they called the government's bid to "impose" Hindi over Maharashtra.

During the rally, Raj and Uddhav hinted at an alliance with MNS for the upcoming local body elections, especially the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election, likely to be held later this year.

"What Balasaheb Thackeray could not do, chief minister Fadnavis has managed to do," Raj Thackeray said.

"We have come together to stay together," Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering," Uddhav said.

On the speculation of a possible alliance, Sapkal appeared skeptical and said that celebrating the withdrawal of Hindi language GRs and a potential political alliance between the two cousins were two separate issues.

"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," Prithviraj Chavan said.

Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray came together on a public platform after 20 years. They last shared a stage in 2005 during the Malvan assembly bypoll campaign. That was after former chief minister Narayan Rane had left the undivided Shiv Sena. Raj Thackeray quit the party later that year and launched the MNS in 2006.