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Reacting to Raj Thackeray’s remarks, Annamalai said he was unfazed by personal jibes and threats allegedly issued during political rallies in Mumbai.
BJP leader K Annamalai and MNS leader Raj Thackeray | File Image
BJP leader K Annamalai on Monday strongly responded to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s remarks targeting him ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, dismissing the attacks as “ignorant and politically motivated.”
Reacting from Chennai, Annamalai said he was unfazed by personal jibes and threats allegedly issued during political rallies in Mumbai.
“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 said, adding that intimidation would not deter him.
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,” he said.
Annamalai also rejected the suggestion that speaking positively about leaders or cities outside one’s home state undermines regional identity.
“If I say K. Kamaraj is one of India’s greatest leaders, does that make him any less Tamil? If I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does that mean Maharashtrians didn’t build it?” he asked, describing the criticism against him as rooted in ignorance.
The sharp exchange follows remarks by Raj Thackeray at a joint Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS rally in Mumbai, where the MNS chief mocked Annamalai as “rasmalai” and questioned his right to comment on Mumbai-related issues.
Thackeray also revived the controversial slogan “Uthao lungi, bajao pungi,” a phrase historically associated with anti-South Indian rhetoric, in a pointed jibe.
During the rally, Raj Thackeray further warned migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar against what he called the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, linking language, jobs and regional identity.
He described the upcoming BMC polls as a decisive election for the Marathi community and urged voters to unite and remain vigilant on polling day.
January 12, 2026, 11:51 IST
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