The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) jointly organised a 'Jan Aakrosh' (People's Anger) protest in Nashik on Friday to criticise the Devendra Fadnavis government on a range of issues.
Addressing the workers, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut announced that every future programme in Nashik would be a joint one. "Two brothers have come together and workers of both parties have also come together. As a result, Maharashtra will follow the Thackerays now. Nashik has given this message," Raut claimed.
He warned the ruling parties, saying, "The origin of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS is the same, and our guardian is the same - Balasaheb Thackeray. Therefore, you will have to take care while facing us."
Raut also raised the recent murder of Rahul Dhotre in the city, stating that the state government was unable to arrest a fugitive councillor allegedly involved in the crime. In a swipe at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, Raut said that "the home minister must resign" if the councillor cannot be arrested or if the government cannot find out who is protecting him.
MNS leader and former MLA Bala Nandgaonkar stated that the state government would have to take notice of the march, as this show of strength by the two parties would spread to every 'taluka' and district.
The 'Jan Aakrosh' march began at Bhalekar High School ground and ended at Hutatma Chowk. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS leaders said the protest was organised to highlight issues faced by farmers, including Minimum Support Price, the problems of teachers, and the deteriorating law and order situation in Nashik.
The Thackerays had previously shared a stage on July 5 in Mumbai to celebrate their "victory" after the Maharashtra government rolled back contentious orders on the three-language formula for students in Classes 1 to 5 amid accusations of imposing Hindi in the Marathi-speaking state.
Although Raj Thackeray left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005, blaming Uddhav for his departure, the heavy defeat of both their parties in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls appears to have prompted the rivals to improve their relationship and create their own political space in the state. Local body polls in several cities, including Nashik, have been pending since early 2022 and are expected to take place in the coming months.
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