Shiv Sena upset over Fadnavis relaxing Marathi rule for drivers

Shiv Sena leaders in Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti coalition have expressed displeasure with ally BJP over Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's decision to relax the requirement for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to speak functional Marathi. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, a Shiv Sena leader, had set an August 15 deadline for compliance, but Fadnavis on Thursday gave drivers one year to learn the language and said no action would be taken during this period.

A Shiv Sena leader said the CM should have taken the party into confidence before the announcement, and that there is now a perception he gave relief to north Indian drivers. The party said it stands for Marathi pride and will not move away from its core ideology. Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said it was time for the Shiv Sena to rebel. BJP sources said the decision was made in view of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, as the north Indian population is a key vote bank.