13 August,2026 11:57 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray. Pic/X
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray has backed the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly's resolution seeking to abolish the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), saying Maharashtra should have taken a similar stand earlier.
In a post on X, Thackeray praised the Tamil Nadu Assembly for demonstrating what he described as political unity on an issue concerning students, while criticising the Maharashtra government for allegedly ignoring concerns related to education and recruitment examinations.
Referring to the Tamil Nadu resolution, Thackeray said opposition parties had set aside political differences to support the government on the issue.
"What stood out wasn't just the policy, but the political maturity on display. Opposition parties, including the Left, set aside their political agendas, ideological differences, and egos to stand united with the government," he said.
Thackeray said the decision showed that public interest could take precedence over party politics when the future of students was at stake. He also noted that one BJP MLA had walked out of the Assembly while the resolution was being considered.
He said the resolution's legal status would depend on subsequent action by the Governor or the President, but argued that the political decision to support students was significant.
Thackeray said Maharashtra should have taken a similar position years ago, recalling that MNS chief Raj Thackeray had opposed NEET in 2016.
"Rajsaheb warned us back in 2016 that NEET was a flawed, anti-student exam designed to penalize Maharashtra's rural and vernacular-medium students. But those in power then and now, refused to listen," he said.
He alleged that students in Maharashtra continue to face problems because of delays and irregularities in recruitment examinations, along with shortcomings in educational infrastructure.
Thackeray cited MPSC delays, TET paper leaks, alleged Talathi recruitment scams and what he called poor infrastructure in schools and colleges as issues requiring greater attention from the state government.
He also criticised the ruling parties for allegedly dismissing opposition concerns as politically motivated.
"This toxic political ego of the ruling dispensation is destroying the lives and futures of millions of young men and women in Maharashtra," Thackeray said.
He argued that political parties should focus on governance rather than treating every issue through the lens of political rivalry.
Thackeray said his party was not opposed to government decisions simply for the sake of opposing them. He said the MNS would support measures that genuinely benefited students and young people.
"We are not in the opposition to oppose for the sake of opposing. If this government takes a bold, genuinely beneficial decision for the students, youth, or Marathi, we will be the very first to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them, just as we have in the past," he said.
He called on the state government to engage with the opposition and avoid pushing through decisions without wider consultation.
Amit Thackeray concluded by urging Maharashtra's ruling parties to draw from Tamil Nadu's approach and prioritise public interest over political differences.
"Because for us: Maharashtra First... Politics Later!" he said.
