The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the state government have locked horns over the usage of the Marathi language again. On Monday, the MNS expressed its displeasure after a board inside the Vidhan Bhavan featured text in Hindi and English, but the Marathi language was missing. The board was seen at the two-day National Conference of Estimates Committees of Parliament and state/union territories (UT) legislative bodies being held at the Vidhan Bhavan (state legislature premises) in Mumbai. The state government and MNS are already at loggerheads over three language formats and for bringing Hindi in through the “back door” in schools across Maharashtra.

The two-day conference began on Monday. However, on day one itself, the controversy erupted as the board displayed for the meeting had English and Hindi text, but the state’s official language — Marathi — was missing. Highlighting this, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande slammed the government for ignoring Marathi. However, Despahnde’s opposition has not gone well with the ruling party members, who have accused the MNS leader of using “derogatory language”.

Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader, Gulabrao Patil, a minister in the Mahayuti (BJP-Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP alliance) government, claimed that some MLA might push for a breach of privilege motion against Deshpande. “We can use a similar tone and language. But, that is not the way to express,” Patil added.