India, Oct. 7 -- After chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in August intervened in the issue of non-Marathi auto/taxi drivers needing to learn Marathi and extended the deadline granted to them for this, it appeared like the dust had settled on the issue.

However, transport minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik has brought the issue back on his agenda, and on Tuesday met transport department officials to strategise the next phase of the 'Maharashtra Majha! Marathi Majhi Samvad Bhasha!' campaign.

Fadnavis' decision to grant drivers a year to learn the language was a political one driven by the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in early 2027. Migrant drivers from the state and the BJP's UP leaders had opposed the scheme, and...