Chief Minister Eknath Shinde disagreed with Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari amid a brewing controversy over the latter’s remarks on Mumbai. As fuming Opposition leaders continue to call for the administrator’s dismissal, the newly appointed CM reminded that the Governor ‘must speak under the ethics of the constitution’.
“Governor has his own personal views but we won’t support his statements…He has now issued a clarification. He occupies a constitutional post and should take care that his actions are not insulting to others. We will never forget Mumbaikars’ and Marathi people’s contribution to Mumbai,” the CM asserted on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking at an event on Friday, Koshyari had said there will be no money left in Mumbai and it will cease to be the financial capital of the country if Gujarati and Rajasthani people are not there in the city. The Governor added a clarification the next day contending that his comments were misconstrued and that he had “no intention of belittling the hard work of Marathi-speaking people”.
Addressing reporters in Nashik Shinde said today that 105 people sacrificed their lives in their agitation to make Mumbai capital of Maharashtra and late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray played a role in preserving the city’s Marathi identity. “No one can insult Mumbai and Marathi people. Mumbai faced many calamities but it never stops, it continues work 24×7 and gives employment, livelihood to thousands of people,” he said.
He also lauded the Marathi community’s hard work towards the development and progress of Mumbai. “It is an important city with immense potential. Despite people from all over the country making it their home, Marathi people have preserved their identity and pride and it shouldn’t be insulted,” he added.
Earlier today former CM Uddhav Thackeray had demanded an apology from Koshyari, adding that it was time to decide whether he should be sent back home or to jail. The Shiv Sena president also accused the governor of “polarising Hindus living peacefully” in Mumbai and Thane.
“In the last three years, he has insulted Marathi-speaking people despite staying in Maharashtra. Now with these comments, he has brought disrespect to the governor’s post…Koshyari did not approve the 12 names from the governor’s quota for the Maharashtra Legislative Council. He also made derogatory remarks against social reformer Savitribai Phule,” Thackeray alleged.
