Mumbai, Jan. 11 -- At a time when the Thackeray brothers have been accusing the ruling dispensation of attempting to "separate Mumbai" and undermining Marathi pride, a statement by Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai during the municipal election campaign has sparked fresh political controversy.
Addressing a public meeting in Mumbai, Annamalai said that Mumbai does not belong only to Maharashtra but is, in the true sense, an international metropolis. His remark has provided new ammunition to the Thackeray brothers, who have been aggressively raising issues related to Mumbai's identity and the respect for the Marathi language.
As part of its strategy to attract voters from diverse linguistic backgrounds in Mumbai, the BJP has fielded star c...