The controversy erupted after Annamalai, while campaigning in Dharavi for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, described Mumbai as an “international city”, saying it belongs to the world and not to any single state alone.
His remarks drew strong reactions from leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, accused the BJP of disrespecting Mumbai and Maharashtra.
- He said Annamalai represents a party that “only wants to insult and exploit” the state.
- Mocking Annamalai’s political standing in Tamil Nadu, Aaditya said he could not even retain his security deposit there.
- He also praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, saying the state is progressing while others are focused on political attacks.
Notably, Aaditya’s comments come at a time when Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have reunited after two decades to jointly contest the high-stakes Mumbai civic polls.
Raj Thackeray’s Sharp Attack
The strongest reaction came from MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who invoked an old and controversial Shiv Sena slogan from the 1960s and 1970s, targeting Tamil migrants.
He questioned Annamalai’s connection to Mumbai and made personal remarks mocking his name, escalating the rhetoric further.
Annamalai Responds
Annamalai strongly defended his statement, rejecting accusations that he insulted Marathi identity.
He argued that calling Mumbai a global city does not diminish the contribution of Maharashtrians.
Drawing parallels, he said praising a national leader like K. Kamaraj does not make him any less Tamil.
Responding to threats and personal attacks, Annamalai said he is proud to be a farmer’s son and questioned why senior leaders were holding meetings just to target him.
Political and Electoral Context
Mumbai’s Tamil-speaking population, estimated at around 4% of voters, is spread across several civic wards, with a significant number living in areas like Dharavi.
While the BJP has no assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, it does have a Tamil-origin MLA in Mumbai, R Tamil Selvan, from the Sion–Koliwada constituency.
Municipal elections across 29 corporations in Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Pune, are scheduled for January 15, with results to be announced on January 16.
Tamil Nadu is also expected to go to the polls later this year, adding to the broader political backdrop.
Bigger Picture
What began as a campaign statement has now evolved into a larger debate on regional identity, migration, and political influence, with Mumbai once again at the center of a fierce electoral battle. As voting day approaches, rhetoric around “insiders versus outsiders” is likely to intensify further.
