Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has offered a sharp, sarcastic response to Raj Thackeray’s jibe suggesting that Fadnavis accomplished what even Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray couldn’t: reuniting his estranged cousins, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray. The statement came after Raj and Uddhav appeared together at a rally protesting the three-language formula in schools.
Fadnavis Reacts: “Thanks for the Credit – and Balasaheb’s Blessings”
Raj Thackeray had cheekily credited Fadnavis for unintentionally bringing him and Uddhav back together. Responding with irony, Fadnavis said,
“I am thankful to Raj Thackeray for giving me credit for bringing the cousins together. I’m sure Balasaheb Thackeray is blessing me from above.”
With this, Fadnavis took a dig at both the political theatrics and the emotional weight of the rally, using sarcasm to frame the reunion as politically opportunistic.
From Victory to Mourning: Fadnavis Critiques the Rally Tone
Commenting on the opposition rally itself, Fadnavis questioned whether it was truly a celebration of victory or an outpouring of political frustration.
“They said it was a ‘vijay rally’ (victory rally), but it looked more like a ‘rudali’ (mourning performance).”
The term “rudali,” traditionally used to describe professional mourners, was aimed at mocking the speeches delivered at the rally—particularly that of Uddhav Thackeray. According to Fadnavis, Uddhav used the stage not to focus on Marathi language or identity, but to complain about the loss of his government.
Focus Should Be on Marathi Issues, Not Political Grievances
Fadnavis was especially critical of Uddhav’s speech, noting that it strayed far from the core concern—protection of Marathi culture and education.
“Uddhav Thackeray didn’t even speak about the Marathi language. He only talked about the fall of his government. It seemed like he was venting personal frustration.”
By pointing this out, Fadnavis aimed to highlight the disconnect between the rally’s stated purpose and the actual content of the speeches.
Performance vs. Progress: Development as the BJP’s Response
Fadnavis defended the BJP’s record on serving the Marathi community by listing development initiatives, especially in housing. He cited improvements in areas such as BDD chawls, Abhyudaya Nagar, and Patra chawls, framing the BJP as a party that delivers results rather than speeches.
“They have strength in street politics, but we work on ground-level development,” he said, drawing a line between rhetoric and tangible achievements.
This was a direct challenge to the Thackerays to show real outcomes rather than rely on emotional or cultural symbolism.
Fadnavis Reinforces Identity Politics with an Inclusive Twist
Reasserting the BJP’s identity, Fadnavis declared:
“We are proud to be Marathi, proud Hindutvawadis, and proud Hindus.”
This statement attempts to strike a balance—claiming space within the Marathi identity narrative while also appealing to a broader Hindutva voter base. His tone implied that Marathi pride doesn’t have to come at the cost of national or religious unity.
Thackeray Reunion: A New Political Chapter?
The rally that brought Uddhav and Raj together was seen by many as politically significant. The two cousins had been estranged for over two decades, ever since Raj split from the Shiv Sena and formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Their shared opposition to the government’s language policy appears to have rekindled ties.
Raj’s comment—“What even Balasaheb couldn’t do, Devendra Fadnavis has done”—was partly in jest, but it hinted at a potential alliance between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of upcoming elections.
The Battle for BMC and Marathi Voters
Fadnavis’s remarks come as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections approach. The political climate in Mumbai is heating up, and language politics is proving to be a critical factor. With the Thackerays signaling unity over Marathi pride and BJP projecting itself as a party of development, the voter sentiment will determine which narrative holds sway.
By mocking the opposition and emphasizing results, Fadnavis has made it clear: the BJP will not let symbolic unity go unchallenged without showcasing its own brand of Marathi commitment, backed by governance.
Conclusion: Sarcasm, Strategy, and a High-Stakes Election Ahead
Devendra Fadnavis’s response to Raj Thackeray’s remark wasn’t just a sarcastic retort—it was a strategic statement. By questioning the authenticity of the opposition’s intentions and contrasting it with the BJP’s developmental record, he framed the political battlefield in clear terms.
As the elections draw near, the reuniting Thackeray cousins and the BJP-led government seem poised for a high-stakes contest, where both emotional appeal and ground realities will play defining roles.
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