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Mumbai: Dy CM Eknath Shinde said that “self-interest and power were the only agenda” of the Sena (UBT) and that ” Uddhav Thackeray should have apologized to the Marathi people for endorsing the report making Hindi compulsory from Class 1 to 12.” Instead, he said, Uddhav turned the stage into a political battleground and raised no relevant issue about the Marathi manoos.”Raj Thackeray’s speech reflected genuine concern for the Marathi language. In contrast, Uddhav’s speech was filled with bitterness, jealousy, and a desperate craving for power. Some leaders spoke of having neither a flag nor an agenda. But while one observed that restraint, the other shamelessly revealed his flag of selfishness and his agenda for power. The event left the Marathi community disappointed,” Shinde said.Reacting to Uddhav’s prediction that rising any further politically was a bleak possibility for Shinde, the Dy CM reminded him how he had trounced Uddhav in 2022, “due to which he now needs others (Raj) to lift him up.” “He made certain remarks about me including my style of caressing my beard, likening me to a movie protagonist, which wasn’t necessary on such platforms.But let me alert him: wait for the next elections and see what this bearded man can do… One needs courage to stand up against injustice, which we did. Uddhav Thackeray must mind his language. He must remember well what happens when I decide to rise. He is all noise and no courage. He has fallen flat in the Vidhan Sabha elections,” Shinde said.Shinde urged Uddhav to reflect on his tenure, questioning why Marathi citizens were neglected and pushed to the distant suburbs.In a post on X, the Shinde Sena slammed Uddhav and praised Raj.