Shinde Condemns Annamalai's Mumbai Remarks as Inappropriate
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde strongly criticized BJP leader Annamalai K on Monday. Shinde stated that Annamalai's recent comments about Mumbai were completely wrong. He emphasized that such statements should never have been made in that manner.
Controversy Over Mumbai's Identity
Last week, Annamalai sparked a major political controversy with his remarks about Mumbai. He called for better coordination between the Centre, Maharashtra government, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Annamalai described Mumbai as an "international city" rather than merely a city of Maharashtra.
"Bombay is not a city of Maharashtra, it is an international city," Annamalai had declared. He pointed to Mumbai's substantial budget of Rs 75,000 crore, comparing it to Chennai's Rs 8,000 crore and Bengaluru's Rs 19,000 crore budgets. Annamalai stressed the need for competent administration to manage these significant finances.
Strong Backlash from Maharashtra Leaders
Annamalai's comments immediately triggered strong reactions from political leaders across Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray both accused the BJP of attempting to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. They claimed the BJP wanted to break Mumbai's connection to Marathi identity and hand control to industrialists.
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Shinde addressed the controversy directly. "What Annamalai said was not right," Shinde stated firmly. "It was wrong and should not have been spoken in that manner."
Shiv Sena's Clear Stance on Mumbai
Shinde clarified that the Shiv Sena's position on Mumbai remains absolutely clear and non-negotiable. He explained that stray comments from leaders of other parties should not be used to judge the Sena's established stance. The Deputy Chief Minister has personally conveyed his concerns to the BJP leadership about Annamalai's remarks.
"I have clearly conveyed this to the BJP, and they are looking into it," Shinde revealed about his communication with the alliance partner.
Mumbai's Inseparable Connection to Maharashtra
Shinde left no room for ambiguity about Mumbai's status. "No one can separate Mumbai from Maharashtra," he declared emphatically. "No one has that courage. Mumbai is not a railway coach that can be detached from one place and attached to another."
The Shiv Sena chief emphasized that Mumbai's place within Maharashtra is not open to debate or discussion. He traced this position back to the party's founding ideology under Balasaheb Thackeray.
Individual Statements Versus Party Positions
Shinde drew a clear distinction between individual leaders' comments and official party positions. He cited another example involving BJP leader Krupa Shankar Singh, whose recent remarks Shinde said did not represent the BJP's official stance.
"Krupa Shankar Singh does not speak for the BJP. He is not the BJP," Shinde explained. "One individual's statement cannot be treated as the stand of allied parties."
The Deputy Chief Minister applied the same principle to Annamalai's controversial statement. "One person speaking does not mean the party is speaking," Shinde noted. "Annamalai's remark is not the stand of the Shiv Sena."
Election Timing and Political Motivations
Shinde suggested that such controversies often emerge around election time to stir public emotions. With Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls approaching, he implied that the timing of this controversy was politically motivated.
"Such statements are taken up during elections to stir emotions," Shinde observed. "People understand what is real and what is political."
The Shiv Sena leader reaffirmed that his party's position on Mumbai has remained consistent for decades. "The Shiv Sena has always stood for Mumbai being an inseparable part of Maharashtra," he concluded. "That stand has never changed."
