'Fadnavis did what Balasaheb Thackeray could not...': Raj Thackeray jibes at Maharashtra CM after MNS chief reunites with Uddhav

Raj and Uddhav shared the same stage as they celebrated the "mega victory gathering" in Mumbai to celebrate the Maharashtra government's roll back of three language policy in primary schools.

"Chief Minister Fadnavis managed to do what Balasaheb Thackeray could not - bring me and Uddhav together," said Raj as quoted by NDTV.

"You may have power in the Vidhan Bhawan, we have power on the roads," he thundered as reported by the daily. "Maharashtra government rolled back decision on three-language formula due to strong unity shown by Marathi people."

Last month, the Maharashtra government cancelled the three-language policy resolution facing the Opposition protests and charge of Hindi-imposition in the western state of India, media reports said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in an announcement, "A committee of experts will be appointed under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav on the issue of the three-language formula. A final decision regarding the three-language formula will be taken after the report of that committee."

Countering the Hindi-imposition charge, Fadnavis said, "Marathi is our pride, and it is Marathi that is mandatory. Hindi has not been made mandatory anywhere, yet the opposition is being voiced only in the name of Hindi!"

He even alleged the resolution on the National Education Policy (NEP) was issued when Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister.

"When Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister, the Government Resolution (GR) on the National Education Policy (NEP) was issued..."

On April 16, Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government had issued a GR stating Hindi as a compulsory third language in the English and Marathi medium schools for classes 1 to 5.

The GR was heavily criticised by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi- that comprises Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Congress- for the alleged imposition of Hindi.

Later on June 17, the government issued another GR introducing Hindi as "generally" the third language in the Hindi and Marathi medium schools for classes 1 to 5 but not mandatory.

Both the GRs have been slammed by the Opposition.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) held a massive protest against the GRs in Mumbai. Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the party does not oppose Hindi but its imposition.