Devendra Fadnavis reacts as Raj and Uddhav Thackeray hint at reunion

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reacted positively to signs of reconciliation between estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, who appear to be putting nearly two decades of political rivalry behind them. The thaw in relations comes against the backdrop of growing discontent over the BJP-led state government's decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language in schools under the National Education Policy (NEP).

"If the two come together, we will be happy about it, because if people settle their differences, it is a good thing. What else can I say about it?" Fadnavis said, when asked about the potential reunion of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders.

The controversial language policy, which mandates Hindi as a third language from Classes 1 to 5, has sparked a wave of criticism from regional parties, who argue it threatens the prominence of Marathi in its home state. Interestingly, this issue has emerged as the unlikely unifier for the Thackeray cousins, whose fallout in 2005 led to the formation of the MNS and a bitter rivalry that defined state politics for years.