Tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) escalated sharply on Monday as BJP's Tamil Nadu chief, K Annamalai, launched a fierce counterattack against MNS leader Raj Thackeray. Annamalai defiantly challenged Thackeray to prevent him from entering Mumbai, responding to personal insults and threats he claims to have received.
Annamalai Fires Back Over 'Rasmalai' Jibe and Threats
The war of words ignited a day earlier, on Sunday, when Raj Thackeray, at a joint rally with the Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai, mockingly referred to the BJP leader from Tamil Nadu as "rasmalai." Thackeray questioned Annamalai's standing to comment on issues related to Mumbai, invoking an old Shiv Sena slogan, "Hatao lungi, bajao pungi."
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Annamalai did not hold back. He revealed he had received multiple threats, including ones that warned of physical harm if he visited Mumbai. "Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. I will come to Mumbai—try cutting my legs," Annamalai declared boldly. He asserted his pride in being a farmer's son and stated that fear would not deter him from his duties.
He further criticized the Thackeray cousins for their rhetoric. "Who are Aaditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me? They have organised meetings just to abuse me. I don't know whether I have become that important," he remarked. Annamalai also defended his earlier praise for Mumbai as a world-class city, arguing that acknowledging its global status does not negate the contributions of Maharashtrians in building it.
The MNS's Stance on Language and 'Marathi Manoos'
At the Sunday rally, Raj Thackeray's comments extended beyond Annamalai. He issued a stark warning to people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, stating he would "kick" them out of Maharashtra if they attempted to "impose Hindi." Thackeray clarified he does not hate the Hindi language but opposes its imposition, claiming that migrants were snatching opportunities from locals. "If land and language are gone, you will be finished," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The rally also marked a significant political reunion. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray presented a united front, citing an imminent "danger" to Mumbai and Maharashtra as the reason for setting aside their long-standing differences. They jointly attacked the BJP for promoting what they called "fake Hindutva."
Appealing directly to the Marathi vote bank, Raj Thackeray framed the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections as a do-or-die battle. He called it the "last election for the Marathi man," urging unity to protect their interests in the face of perceived threats.
High-Stakes BMC Elections Loom
The political clash unfolds against the crucial backdrop of upcoming urban local body polls in Maharashtra. The State Election Commission has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations across the state. This includes major civic bodies like the Pune Municipal Corporation, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
Polling is scheduled for January 15, with the counting of votes set to take place on January 16. The elections, especially for the financially powerful BMC, are seen as a key test of political strength in the state, amplifying the rhetoric and confrontations between parties vying for dominance.
The verbal duel between Annamalai and the Thackeray cousins underscores the intense competition and the potent mix of identity, language, and regional pride that continues to shape Maharashtra's political landscape ahead of the polls.
