Language row: 'Fadnavis did what Balasaheb could not,' says Raj Thackeray at 'victory' rally with Uddhav

NEW DELHI: Sharing the stage with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray , Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray on Saturday took a dig at Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying that he brought the Thackeray brothers together after 20 years.

Addressing a rally , Raj Thackeray said Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has managed to bring him and Uddhav together, a feat he said even Balasaheb Thackeray could not accomplish.

"CM Fadnavis managed to do what Balasaheb Thackeray could not - bring myself and Uddhav together," Raj Thackeray said at a joint "victory" rally in Mumbai.

VIDEO | Mumbai: Addressing a joint victory gathering with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (@uddhavthackeray), titled 'Awaj Marathicha', MNS chief Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) says, “CM Fadnavis managed to do what Balasaheb Thackeray could not - bring myself and Uddhav… pic.twitter.com/AasFNDNpfB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 5, 2025

After 20 years, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray came together on a public platform for a victory gathering titled 'Awaj Marathicha', held to mark the withdrawal of two government resolutions that had proposed introducing Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in Maharashtra schools.

The gathering is also seen as significant ahead of the upcoming local body elections, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

Speaking at the gathering with Uddhav beside him, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, "The state government's reversal on the three-language policy was the result of the strong unity shown by Marathi-speaking people. This move was just the beginning of a larger plan to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra."