BJP Leader's 'Mumbai Not Maharashtra' Remark Ignites Political Firestorm Ahead of BMC Polls

• BJP leader K. Annamalai stated, "Bombay is not a city of Maharashtra; it is an international city," during a BMC election campaign in Mumbai.
• The remark handed Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena a major political issue, with Sanjay Raut accusing BJP of a conspiracy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.
• Raut demanded action against Annamalai and questioned the silence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
• BJP state leaders clarified Annamalai's statement was taken out of context, aiming to highlight Mumbai's global importance.
• The controversy reopens the sensitive 'Samyukta Maharashtra Andolan' issue, putting pressure on Eknath Shinde's faction ahead of elections.

Why It Matters: A BJP leader's controversial statement on Mumbai's identity has sparked a political row, benefiting Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena.