Raj, Uddhav speeches at joint rally irrelevant and bereft of facts: BJP leader Shelar

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar on Sunday dismissed the speeches of Raj and Uddhav Thackeray at a joint rally the previous day as irrelevant, distortion of facts and an attempt to divert from real issues.

Talking to reporters, BJP leader Shelar also accused Shiv Sena (UBT) head and former state chief minister Uddhav Thackeray of shifting alliances purely for political gains.

"He (Uddhav) first aligned with the BJP to gain power in the state and the BMC (cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). When he realised he could become chief minister, he joined hands with the (then undivided) NCP and Congress. Now, to retain power in the BMC, he is trying to woo the MNS," he claimed.

Shelar also said the attacks on Hindi-speaking people allegedly by MNS workers were disappointing and asserted "Marathi is not a political issue for us." Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), shared the stage at a rally in Mumbai on Saturday for the first time in nearly two decades.

They were celebrating the BJP-led ruling Mahayuti's decision to withdraw two Government Resolutions (GRs) issued earlier introducing Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools.

At the rally, Uddhav Thackeray said he and Raj Thackeray have come together to stay united and hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together.

Raj quipped that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has managed to do what Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and others couldn't by bringing the two cousins together.

Shelar claimed, "Yesterday's joint event and speeches could be seen as incomplete, with one speech being unclear and another being irrelevant. The entire event was unrealistic." "While one of them tried to speak on the cause of Marathi, the facts were distorted. Their arguments were misleading and can be countered point by point," he said.

Shelar claimed the speeches of the two leaders were filled with sarcasm and political posturing rather than substance.

"Uddhav's speech was irrelevant, full of regret and uneasiness over the loss of power. Raj's speech was incomplete and diverted from the real issue. Both leaders appeared driven by fear ahead of the municipal elections. Their speeches resembled those of people scared to walk in the dark," he charged.

Asked about Raj Thackeray questioning how many states from north India have adopted three-language policy, Shelar said nearly 22 states in the country have either accepted the three-language policy or rolled it out.

It has been the state's decision over the issue and some states have taken it accordingly, he said.

"What we are saying that they (Thackerays) are ok with their children getting education in schools teaching three languages but they oppose when others get the same opportunity," he said.

Criticising the alleged personal attacks on CM Fadnavis, Shelar said, "Even we can make personal comments to criticise them. But do they have any decency in public discourse?" "People use foul or casteist language only when they have no valid arguments. If we start speaking in that language, they would not be able to take it," the BJP leader said.

Shelar also said the Thackerays had failed to acknowledge Fadnavis' role in resolving the issue.

"Had there been honesty in their arguments, they would have congratulated CM Fadnavis. He was the one who removed the word 'mandatory' from the initial GR and then withdrew both GRs to avoid confusion. But they will not do that because their intentions are dishonest," he said.

Neither Uddhav nor Raj had congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi when Marathi was granted the classical language status, Shelar claimed.

Responding to Raj Thackeray's remarks about Bharatiya Janata Party leaders having studied in English-medium schools, Shelar said L K Advani and other BJP leaders never opposed Hindi.

"The issue was about Hindi as an optional third language, but Raj brought in unrelated points, which made his speech incomplete," he said.

They enroll their children in schools teaching three languages, including Hindi, but want to deny the same to others. This is hypocrisy, Shelar said.

"Show me one leader from Shiv Sena (UBT) or MNS who has demanded renaming Bombay Scottish School to Mumbai," he said.

Asked about attacks on Hindi-speaking people allegedly by MNS workers, Shelar said, "In the Pahalgam terror attack, people were asked their religion before being shot. Here, people are being attacked based on their language. It is disappointing." The state is watching how these leaders are "enjoying" other Hindus being beaten up, the minister said.

He asserted that the BJP, being the largest party in Maharashtra, would safeguard the pride of Marathi people while also protecting non-Marathi residents.

"Marathi is not a political issue for us," the BJP leader maintained.

Shelar predicted the Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies would perform poorly in the upcoming civic elections.

"Compared to the previous elections, they will win fewer seats. They are going to lose," he said.