K. Annamalai's 'International City' Remark On Mumbai Sparks War With Thackerays Ahead of BMC Polls

A political firestorm has erupted in Maharashtra following remarks by BJP leader K. Annamalai ahead of the BMC elections scheduled for January 15. Campaigning in Mumbai, Annamalai stated that a 'triple engine sarkar' is possible in the city. He sparked a major controversy by saying, 'Bombay is not, not a Maharashtra city, it is an international city and this city has got a budget of 75,000 crore'. The comment drew sharp criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS Chief Raj Thackeray, who attacked Annamalai over the statement. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended his party colleague, claiming the remarks were misconstrued and that the battle for the BMC is about the political survival of the Thackeray brothers, not Mumbai's identity.