Maharashtra Politics: Pratap Sarnaik Pens Emotional Letter To Eknath Shinde After Thackeray Rally, Slams UBT-MNS Alliance As Political Gimmick
Following the joint rally by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray in Worli on Saturday, Transport Minister and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Pratap Sarnaik wrote an emotional letter to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, launching a scathing attack on both Thackeray brothers and their renewed alliance.
In his letter, Sarnaik questioned the sincerity behind Uddhav and Raj Thackeray’s proclaimed concern for the Marathi language and culture. “If they are now uniting in the name of Marathi identity, then whose interests were they serving when they split years ago?” he asked.
Sarnaik accused the Thackeray brothers of exploiting the Marathi cause purely for political gains ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. “There is a Marathi folk tale about a demon whose life is hidden in a parrot. For these leaders, their life lies in the power of the BMC,” he remarked. “Their souls reside in the coffers of the corporation.”
The transport minister alleged that the Uddhav-led faction ruled the BMC for years under the guise of Marathi pride but failed to truly serve the Marathi people. “They wore the cap of Marathi pride but fooled the very community they claimed to protect,” he wrote, citing instances such as the decline of Marathi-medium schools and alleged corruption during the COVID-19 crisis.
Taking a direct swipe at Raj Thackeray, Sarnaik recalled that Raj had left Shiv Sena in 2006 citing differences over Marathi identity, but has now rejoined hands with the very same leaders. “What kind of politics is this? Has the public become so naive as to not see through this?” he questioned.
Sarnaik also condemned the Thackeray brothers for sidelining real issues like youth employment and economic empowerment. “While they stage protests over language, the sons of these leaders send English wedding invitations and their followers watch from air-conditioned offices as Marathi youth hit the streets,” he said.
He went on to accuse both parties—UBT and MNS—of deliberately keeping Marathi youth away from business opportunities. “If the youth become self-sufficient, their political shops will shut down,” Sarnaik alleged, warning that the people of Mumbai are now tired of the “hypocrisy, selfishness, and deceit” of the Thackeray-led politics.
Expressing full support for Eknath Shinde, Sarnaik wrote, “You are the true torchbearer of Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology. Despite health risks, you continue working tirelessly for the people. As someone who has worked with you for 30 years, I feel proud to stand by your side.”
He concluded the letter with a call to continue the development-focused agenda: “The Marathi people and their hearts are with you. Keep leading us forward.”