- By Raju Kumar
- Sat, 05 Jul 2025 04:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Thackerays Reunion: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday reacted to the reunion of two brothers - Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray - at the joint rally in Mumbai. In a veiled swipe at Uddhav, the chief minister said he delivered a "rudali" (professional mourner) like speech at the joint rally. He also "thanked" MNS president Raj Thackeray for crediting him in reuniting the two Thackeray cousins.
What Bal Thackeray Couldn't Do, Fadnavis Did: Raj Takckeray
Raj, while addressing the joint rally, in a lighter vein, credited Fadnavis for bringing together the two cousins which even Bal Thackeray couldn't do.
Balasaheb Thackeray Must Be Blessing me: Fadnavis
"Balasaheb Thackeray must be blessing me. I was told it was supposed to be a 'vijay' (victory) rally, but it turned out to be a 'rudali' speech," Fadnavis said in a veiled reference to Uddhav. "Rudali" refers to a female professional mourner in certain regions, particularly in Rajasthan, where they were hired to publicly express grief during funerals, especially in upper-caste families.
Fadnavis said no word was spoken about Marathi at the event and the speech (delivered by Uddhav) focused on how his government was toppled and how they can regain power.
"The rally was not Vijay utsav but a 'rudali' darshan," the chief minister said. He stated that despite ruling the Mumbai civic body for 25 years, they (the undivided Sena) failed to bring in development.
We have come together to stay together: Uddhav
Earlier in the day, while addressing the 'Awaz Marathicha' joint rally, Uddhav said that he has come to "stay together" with his brother Raj.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) are holding a joint rally in Mumbai to oppose the alleged imposition of the Hindi language over Maharashtra by the state government.
"We have come together to stay together", Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering.
The former Maharashtra CM stated that ever since the announcement of this program, everyone was "eagerly" waiting for his and Raj Thackeray's speech. He hailed Raj Thackeray's vocal skills and stated that he has always delivered an "outstanding" speech, so there is no need for him to speak.
"Since we announced this program, everyone was eagerly waiting for our speech today, but in my view, we are both coming together, and this stage was more important than our speeches . Raj has already given a very outstanding speech, and I think there is no need for me to speak now", Uddhav Thackeray said.
Hitting out at the Centre and Maharashtra government, Uddhav Thackeray questioned what the government has done in its tenure of 11 years for Maharashtra and Mumbai, while referring to him being asked what the Shiv Sena (UBT) has done for Mumbai being in the BMC.
Uddhav alleged that the Centre has pushed Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat, and these are all attempts to break the "backbone" of Maharashtra.
(With agencies inputs)