Aaditya Thackeray condemns Congress MLA’s call to declare Mumbai a Union Territory
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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has strongly opposed any suggestion to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, calling it an affront to the sacrifices made by the "Marathi manoos" to secure the city.
Thackeray's remarks came after Karnataka Congress MLA Laxman Savadi reportedly proposed making Mumbai a Union Territory in response to demands from some Maharashtra leaders to declare Belagavi a Union Territory.
In a post on X, Thackeray emphasized the historical and cultural significance of Mumbai to Maharashtra, describing it as his "motherland." He stated, “The demand to make Mumbai a Union Territory is condemnable. Whether it comes from the Congress or the BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT) will never tolerate any move to detach Mumbai from Maharashtra. Mumbai belongs to us- achieved through the sacrifices of the Marathi manoos, not handed over by anyone.”
Thackeray urged Congress leadership to take action against its MLA for making such remarks.
The long-standing border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka over Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), a town with a significant Marathi-speaking population, has frequently ignited political tensions.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition with the Congress and the NCP (SP), reiterated its commitment to preserving Maharashtra’s territorial integrity. These parties are also members of the opposition INDIA bloc, which brings together several political parties at the national level.