Only a Marathi Will Lead BMC After Polls, Says CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis firmly declared that only a Marathi individual will lead the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) following the upcoming elections. Speaking amid heightened political tensions, he rejected Opposition narratives claiming threats to Marathi identity, asserting that the Marathi community as a whole remains secure while certain political entities face existential challenges. Fadnavis emphasized that Maharashtra belongs to all Marathi people, not any exclusive faction, and reiterated his commitment to Marathi leadership at the helm of the civic body.

Addressing accusations surrounding language policies in education, Fadnavis clarified that the decision to introduce Hindi and English in schools originated during Uddhav Thackeray's tenure as chief minister. He referenced a report submitted in September 2021 and approved by the cabinet on January 20, 2022, with subsequent re-approval. The current administration, he stated, merely established a committee to examine the implementation of that earlier decision, dismissing the resulting controversy as exaggerated.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray previously launched a strong critique of the state government, accusing it of undermining Mumbai's progress over the past three years and reversing decades of work by the undivided Shiv Sena. His remarks positioned the administration as detrimental to the city's development and legacy. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray intensified the discourse by calling for Marathi unity and warning of perceived threats to the state's language, land, and cultural identity.

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Raj Thackeray specifically cautioned against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, directing his comments toward migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He described the forthcoming BMC elections as a critical juncture for the Marathi community, urging voters to consolidate support and remain vigilant against electoral irregularities. He stressed the importance of booth-level preparedness and alertness to safeguard Marathi interests, framing the contest as potentially the final opportunity to preserve the community's future.

The escalating rhetoric unfolds just days before polling for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the prominent BMC, Pune Municipal Corporation, and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Voting is scheduled for January 15, with results to be declared on January 16. The exchanges highlight deep-seated regional sentiments and linguistic priorities as parties vie for control of key urban administrative bodies in the state.

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