“Marathi People Are Being Pushed Out While Outsiders Question Mumbai’s Identity,” Says Raj Thackeray

Mumbai: The political temperature in Mumbai soared on Sunday as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray launched a blistering attack on BJP leader K Annamalai, accusing him of questioning Mumbai’s identity and promoting a long-running agenda to detach the city from Maharashtra. Addressing a massive gathering at Shivtirtha in Dadar, Thackeray placed Annamalai’s controversial statement at the heart of an escalating political confrontation ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

At the rally, Thackeray repeatedly referred to Annamalai’s assertion — “Bombay is not Maharashtra’s city; it’s an international city” — calling it an open insult to Maharashtra and its people. He alleged that such remarks were not accidental but part of a broader design to dilute Marathi influence and push locals out of Mumbai economically, politically, and culturally.

During his speech, Thackeray presented a video montage claiming that vast tracts of Mumbai’s land are steadily being transferred into the hands of powerful corporate interests. He warned that what is unfolding today is the result of conspiracies that have been brewing for decades. “Marathi people are struggling to find homes in their own city, while outsiders question Mumbai’s relationship with Maharashtra,” he said, accusing ruling forces of deliberately sidelining locals.

Taking a sharp personal swipe, Thackeray mockingly referred to Annamalai as “Rasmalai” and said leaders who question Mumbai’s place in Maharashtra reveal a “dangerous and arrogant mindset.” He invoked the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, recalling the slogan “Hatao Lungi, Bajao Pungi,” and said it emerged during earlier attempts to suppress the rights of Marathi people. According to him, similar efforts are once again underway to prevent Marathi unity and weaken their political voice in the city.

However, Raj Thackeray’s remarks also triggered criticism online, with several netizens accusing him of insulting South Indians. Critics argued that references like “lungi-pungi” were divisive and unnecessary, alleging that such language fuels regional hostility rather than addressing governance issues.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time, with BMC elections scheduled for January 15, 2026. Opposition parties have seized upon Annamalai’s comments to attack the BJP, especially as the party has deployed several non-Marathi leaders from across the country to campaign among linguistic communities in Mumbai.

Annamalai, meanwhile, has stood by his position. In a recent interview, he reiterated, “Bombay is not Maharashtra’s city; it’s an international city,” and argued that Mumbai requires a “triple-engine government” — a BJP mayor in the BMC, Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre. Citing Mumbai’s civic budget of over ₹75,000 crore, he claimed the city needs stronger and more centralised administrative control.