- Annamalai dares critics after Raj Thackeray’s controversial remark
- Says Thackeray’s jibe is an insult to Tamilians
- CM Fadnavis supports Annamalai, downplays Raj Thackeray’s comment
- Remarks come ahead of crucial Maharashtra civic polls
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 12th Jan: A political row sparked by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s “Rasmalai” remark against Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai escalated on Monday, with Annamalai daring his critics and insisting he would visit Mumbai despite alleged threats.
“Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. I will come to Mumbai. Try chopping off my legs. If I were afraid of such threats, I would have stayed in my village,” Annamalai said, calling Thackeray’s comment an “insult to Tamilians.”
Backing Annamalai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Mumbai is indeed an international city and sought to downplay Thackeray’s remarks. “Do not take Raj Thackeray seriously,” he said while reiterating Mumbai’s global stature.
The controversy began after Annamalai, ahead of the civic elections in Maharashtra, described Mumbai as not just the capital of Maharashtra but the financial capital of the nation and an international city that must be administered by “the right people.”
“Mumbai needs a triple-engine government. We need a BJP mayor in Mumbai, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre,” Annamalai had said, highlighting the city’s budget of over ₹40,000 crore and calling for efficient financial administration.
Reacting sharply, Raj Thackeray mocked Annamalai, referring to him as “Rasmalai” and questioning his connection to Mumbai. “One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu… what is your connection to this place?” Thackeray had said, recalling an old Shiv Sena slogan.
Hitting back, Annamalai said, “Who are Aditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmer’s son. They have organised meetings just to abuse me. I don’t know whether I have become that important.”
The heated exchange comes ahead of elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, scheduled for January 15, with vote counting on January 16.
