“Mumbai Is Maharashtra’s Soul, Not a Floating City”: Annamalai’s ‘International City’ Remark Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead of BMC Polls

Mumbai: A single remark by former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has ignited a major political controversy in Mumbai just days before the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15. Opposition parties have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of undermining Mumbai’s identity and questioning its place in Maharashtra, turning the comment into a flashpoint in the high-stakes civic poll campaign.

While campaigning in Mumbai’s western suburbs, Annamalai described the city by saying, “Bombay is not a city of Maharashtra. It is an international city.” Though the comment was made in the context of governance, investment, and administrative efficiency, it quickly triggered sharp political reactions, with opponents alleging a deeper ideological intent behind the words.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut launched a fierce attack on the BJP, claiming the remark exposed the party’s long-held position. “We have been saying this from the beginning. The BJP does not consider Mumbai a city of Maharashtra. This has always been their plan—to separate Mumbai from the state,” Raut said. He also questioned the silence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling the statement “a tight slap” to the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.

Raut went further, demanding legal action against Annamalai. “If those in power truly stand for Maharashtra, this insult to Mumbai’s identity would not have been tolerated even for a minute,” he said, intensifying pressure on the state leadership to respond.

Annamalai was in Mumbai to campaign for BJP candidates in wards with a significant Tamil-speaking population, including Ward 35, 47, and 19 in areas such as Malad West and Charkop. Addressing voters and the media, he emphasized development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Maharashtra government, highlighting the scale of the BMC’s finances. “Mumbai’s civic budget is around ₹75,000 crore, far larger than cities like Chennai or Bengaluru. Such a city needs strong and efficient administration,” he said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) escalated the issue on social media, accusing the BJP of deliberately using “Bombay” instead of “Mumbai” to create an artificial divide. Sena leader Akhil Chitre said Mumbai’s identity was built on the struggles and sacrifices of Marathi people. “Questioning Mumbai’s place in Maharashtra is not just political rhetoric; it challenges the city’s history and risks provoking social tension during elections,” he warned.