#Maharashtra: Sanjay Raut Takes A Dig At Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over Year Extension Granted To Autorickshaw ,Taxi Drivers To learn Marathi ; Alleges Delhi Pressure

Picture : ANI/X

Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut has  alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis granted a one-year extension to autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn the Marathi language due to “pressure from Delhi”, which he described as a stern message to BJP’s ally Shiv Sena.

In a dig at the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, he said the announcement was to remind Mahayuti allies and send a message that they have to listen to the person “who succeeds the (incumbent) CM”.

Raut also dared ministers of Shiv Sena to rebel over the decision announced by Fadnavis. “The (Marathi proficiency) initiative was not for the Marathi language but for the non-Marathi people (drivers).

“Delhi pressured to roll back the initiative. We had been keeping an eye on this move. We had anticipated pressure from Delhi for the rollback, which happened yesterday,” Raut claimed.

A day earlier, Fadnavis said autorickshaw and taxi drivers would be given one year to learn functional Marathi, in response to demands from representatives of migrant non-native drivers.

“The state government has accepted their demand and is giving them one year. No action will be taken during this period,” Fadnavis said.