Annamalai’s ‘Bombay’ remark has sparked a political controversy in Maharashtra.
Mumbai: Political tensions in Maharashtra escalated on Saturday after Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai referred to Mumbai as “Bombay” and said the city does not belong to Maharashtra but is an “international city,” triggering sharp reactions across the state. He also called for “capable people” to manage the civic body, citing its large budget. The remarks drew criticism, with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) strongly objecting. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut demanded legal action against Annamalai.
Campaigning for BJP candidates in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Annamalai said, “Mumbai needs a triple-engine government. We need a BJP mayor in Mumbai, with (Maharashtra) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre. Mumbai is a global metropolis which has a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore. Bengaluru’s budget is Rs 19,000 crore, while Chennai’s is Rs 8,000 crore. You need good people who sit in the administration to manage the finance.”
The BMC elections, scheduled to be held on January 15, have already seen a tough contest centred on issues related to the Marathi language and Marathi pride. Against this backdrop, Annamalai’s statement has provided ammunition to opposition parties.
Mr Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and spokesperson, described Annamalai’s remarks as an insult to the 106 Marathi martyrs, who died during the ‘Samyukta Maharashtra’ movement. He said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should immediately register a case against Annamalai and order his arrest for insulting the martyrs.
Mr Raut also said the BJP’s star campaigner was claiming that Mumbai does not belong to Maharashtra. He said the chief minister, who has repeatedly asserted that Mumbai will remain part of Maharashtra as long as the sun and moon exist, must clarify whether Annamalai’s views reflect the BJP’s position.
Calling the statement an embarrassment for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Mr Raut questioned why the party was maintaining silence despite its claim of being the original Shiv Sena.
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule said, “Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and will remain integral to Maharashtra. Maharashtra and Mumbai are inseparable.”
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has also reacted strongly to Annamalai’s comments saying the Maharashtra BJP leaders should have briefed him properly on the issue.
BJP Maharashtra election in-charge for local body elections and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule sought to downplay the controversy, saying the remarks had been misconstrued. “I will have to watch what he (read Annamalai) has said before making any comment on it,” Mr Bawankule said in response to the statement.
