Speaking to the media a day ahead of elections to the BMC and 28 other civic bodies in Maharashtra, Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan said the BJP views Marathi not in a narrow political sense but as a collective cultural identity encompassing language, literature and tradition
Ravindra Chavan said that Marathi should not be politicised for electoral gains. File Pic
Ahead of the BMC Election 2026, state BJP president Ravindra Chavan on Wednesday said the BJP’s approach to the Marathi language is inclusive and broad-based, while accusing the opposition of adopting a negative and divisive stand, reported the PTI.
Speaking to the media a day ahead of elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other civic bodies in Maharashtra, Chavan said that the BJP views Marathi not in a narrow political sense but as a collective cultural identity encompassing language, literature and tradition.
According to him, the party’s focus is on spreading positivity and strengthening Marathi language and culture.
Opposition accused of politicising Marathi identity
Chavan criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, for making Marathi identity a central election plank. The opposition has claimed that Maharashtrians would be marginalised in Mumbai if the BJP comes to power.
"Politics over language is not constructive," Chavan said, adding that Marathi should not be politicised for electoral gains, according to the PTI.
Reference to Hindi in schools controversy
The BJP leader referred to the decision by the BJP-led state government to introduce Hindi from Class I, which was opposed jointly by the Sena (UBT) and MNS last year. The move was later withdrawn.
He alleged that the opposition’s approach to Marathi was driven by negativity and did not reflect the inclusive philosophy of ‘Vishwatmaka Deva’, the universal outlook articulated by saint Dnyaneshwar, as per the PTI.
BJP and Marathi community ‘inseparable’
Chavan asserted that the BJP in Maharashtra and the Marathi-speaking community are inseparable, noting that the party’s ideological roots lie in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which was founded by Marathi leaders, the news agency reported.
He added that the BJP has consistently drawn inspiration from eminent Marathi figures such as B R Ambedkar, V D Savarkar and Bal Thackeray in its efforts to build the nation and society, the PTI reported.
Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info below
Read more: All about BMC Election
(with PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
