Thackeray Brothers Unite for Power, Not for Marathi People: Minister Yogesh Kadam

Pune, 11th September 2025: Minister of State Yogesh Kadam on Thursday launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, alleging that their renewed political closeness is aimed only at consolidating Marathi votes to capture power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), not for the welfare of Marathi people.

“The Thackeray brothers are coming together only to attract Marathi votes. Marathi voters have distanced themselves from Uddhav Thackeray, who chose to join hands with Dawood’s people and dance to the tune of green flags. Their unity is not about Marathi welfare—it is about political power,” Kadam said.

He was speaking at a talk show organised by the Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ), in the presence of PUWJ President Brijmohan Patil and General Secretary Mangesh Phalle.

‘Shiv Sena-BJP alliance intact’
Kadam dismissed speculation about rifts within the ruling alliance, asserting that the Shiv Sena-BJP partnership remains strong.
“Although the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance will not break, we are focusing on increasing our strength in Pune by ensuring as many Shiv Sena corporators as possible are elected to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC),” he said.

‘Uddhav did nothing for Marathi people’
Taking a swipe at Uddhav Thackeray’s record in office, Kadam said, “While in power in the state, including in the BMC, Uddhav Thackeray did nothing for the welfare of Marathi people. Because of such neglect, the Marathi population in Mumbai has dropped from 35 percent to just seven percent. We are wrongly accused of being Hindi language supporters, but in reality, we are working on a policy to ensure reservation for Marathi people in MHADA housing.”

Kadam also responded to former MP Chandrakant Khaire’s claim that the Thackeray brothers’ unity could strengthen them even if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) weakens. “Let’s not forget, Uddhav Thackeray formed the MVA just to become Chief Minister. If that alliance had not existed, Uddhav and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would have stayed together,” he said.

‘No conflict between ministers and MoS’
Addressing reports of friction between cabinet ministers and ministers of state over authority and portfolios, Kadam clarified: “Initially, some conflicts are natural, but Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar have adopted a positive approach and given us freedom to work. While some powers are still being finalised, coordination between ministers and ministers of state has improved. The supposed Shiv Sena-BJP conflict is not serious, and the alliance will remain intact.”