India, Jan. 12 -- Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Monday hit back at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray after being mocked as "Rasmalai," daring those issuing threats against him to act on them.

Annamalai said he would visit Mumbai despite warnings, asserting that intimidation would not deter him.

Backing Annamalai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Mumbai is an international city and sought to play down the controversy. "Do not take Raj Thackeray seriously," Fadnavis said, in an apparent attempt to defuse tensions within the ruling alliance.

He said Mumbai required a "triple-engine government" with the BJP controlling the civic body, the state, and the Centre.

"Mumbai is a global metropolis w...