BJP sees red over Raj Thackeray's 'rasmalai' jab at Annamalai: 'Hateful remark'

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray on Sunday launched a scathing attack against the BJP

• Raj Thackeray mocks BJP's Annamalai, calls him 'Rasmalai' at Mumbai rally
• Thackeray urges Marathi unity ahead of BMC polls, warns against Hindi imposition
• BMC polls set for January 15, counting on January 16 across Maharashtra

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Ahead of the BMC polls, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray targeted BJP leader K Annamalai, mocking him as 'Rasmalai' and questioned his right to speak on Mumbai matters.

"One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu...What is your connection to come here....Hatao lungi bajao pungi," said Raj Thackeray at the UBT-MNS joint rally in Mumbai.

According to News18, the BJP termed Thackeray's comment "hateful".

Annamalai also Monday strongly responded to  Thackeray’s remarks. “Who are Raj Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmer’s son. Some people are holding meetings only to abuse me. I don’t know if I have become that important," he told News18.

Referring to reports of threats against him, Annamalai asserted that he would visit Mumbai regardless. “Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. I will come—try cutting my legs. If I were afraid of such threats, I would have stayed back in my village," said the BJP leader.

In his speech, Thackeray also invoked his uncle Balasaheb Thackeray's controversial slogan, 'Uthao Lungi, Bajao Pungi,' in a clear jibe at South Indians. Bal Thackeray began voicing the grievances of the Marathi manoos through his cartoon weekly Marmik that was founded in 1960. In 1966, he founded the Shiv Sena to counter the rise of "yandugundus" (as he derogatorily referred to South Indians as) and catapulted to fame with his incendiary war cry "Uthao lungi, bajao pungi".

Addressing party workers, Thackeray also said people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should not impose Hindi in Maharashtra, asserting that any such attempt would be resisted.

He termed the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls  a "decisive" election for the Marathi community, urging voters to unite for Maharashtra and remain vigilant on polling day to prevent any malpractice. "People from UP and Bihar should understand that Hindi is not your language. I don't hate the language... But if you try to impose it, I'll kick you. They're coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share... If land and language are gone, you will be finished. Today, this crisis has arrived at your doorstep," Raj Thackeray said.

Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, is scheduled for January 15. The vote counting will take place on January 16.