Fadnavis says ‘threat to Mumbai’ is a fake narrative by Thackeray brothers

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde address Mahayuti rally in Mumbai amid campaign against Thackeray brothers’ narrative on city’s identity(File)

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Thackeray cousins, saying “threat to Mumbai” is a fake narrative by them and said the identity of Mumbai and Marathi Manoos will never be negotiable.

Addressing an election rally of the Mahayuti with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai, Fadnavis said Mahayuti would win and Mumbai will have a Marathi mayor. “The threat to Mumbai is a fake narrative created by the Thackeray brothers, keeping polls in sight as they don’t have any development work to show.”

The remarks come a day after a joint rally by Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at Shivaji Park.

In a bid to counter criticism that the Adani Group was showered special favours during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime from 2014 till now, Fadnavis read out a list of 25 industrial houses that recorded massive growth  of 250 per cent to 1,100 per cent. “The rank of Indian economy has improved from 11th to third. There are hundreds of corporate houses that have expanded, including the Adani Group, which recorded 680 per cent growth. There are others whose growth is at 1,100 per cent,” the CM said.

Adding that the permission for the Navi Mumbai Airport and Dharavi Redevelopment to facilitate Adani Group was given during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime led by then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis said, “Look at their audacity, they are now accusing the BJP of it.”

“We are living in an age where growth and investment are essential to fast track development and generate employment. We have to address the concerns and aspirations of the youths by providing them jobs. Those who are questioning have nothing to worry. They can afford to give speeches,” the CM added.

Taking a further dig at the Thackerays, Fadnavis said, “Even Uddhav Thackeray built Matoshree 2, while Raj Thackeray moved from Krushnakunj to Shivthirth… But when we bring investments in Mumbai and Maharashtra to empower Marathi Manoos, they are raising questions.”

Rubbishing Thackerays’ charge that the BJP was imposing Hindi in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said, “It was during Thackeray’s tenure as CM that the committee had approved English and Hindi mandatory from Class 1. They are now bringing up a false narrative to mislead the people.”

Fadnavis also played old videos showing Uddhav and Raj making attacks against each other in the past. “It is strange some people evoke the same campaign threat to Mumbai when elections come. But once polls are done, they forget Mumbai and Mumbaikars… Unfortunately, Uddhav Thackeray has compromised the Hindutva legacy of Bal Thackeray,” the CM said.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, “They remember Marathi Manoos only when elections come. Rest of the years their focus is self-development. We are going ahead with development agenda. We don’t respond to allegations and instead let our work speak. It was Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream to see Mumbai develop. We are taking his dream seriously and fulfilling it.”