Mumbai, Jan. 12 -- Amid the political heat around the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed claims of opposition that the existence of the 'Marathi manush' is under threat in Mumbai.

Targeting emotional campaign rhetoric by rival parties on Monday, Shinde asserted that Marathi pride has never been endangered and expressed confidence that the Mahayuti alliance will come to power in the civic body, calling it "a saffron line drawn on a black stone."

"Some people made emotional speeches in this election that this is the last election for saving the existence of 'Marathi manush'. I want to tell everyone that Marathi people's existence was never in threat and will never ...