Marathi Politics: BJP Strikes Back at Shiv Sena Amid Three-Language Policy Stir

In a heated political exchange, BJP Mumbai President Ashish Shelar lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray amid the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) protest against the state's controversial three-language policy. Speaking outside the Maharashtra Assembly, Shelar asserted that the BJP emerged victorious, staying true to Marathi language and culture.

Shelar argued that the foundation of the three-language policy was laid during Thackeray's tenure as Chief Minister, accusing him of turning it into a political issue. He pointed out that the policy's inception involved a committee chaired by Mashelkar, which included Thackeray's own party representation.

Amid accusations of politicization for upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant dismissed opposition allegations, suggesting the controversy as a strategy for electoral gain. Meanwhile, Minister Shambhuraj Desai criticized Thackeray's appeal to Marathi people's sentiment, highlighting that the policy acceptance was under Thackeray's governance.

Uddhav Thackeray celebrated the policy's provisional withdrawal, crediting unity among political parties against the government resolution introduced on April 16, mandating Hindi as a third language. With the policy now on hold, a new committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will present a revised proposal, alongside upcoming discussions with stakeholders.

(With inputs from agencies.)