Maharashtra Guv praises Gujaratis, Rajasthanis for Mumbai's development, draws flak

Mumbai: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's remark that Mumbai would mean nothing as a business destination of the country if not there the contributions made by Gujaratis and Rajasthanis, has created a hubbub, prompting the oppositions parties to demand an apology from the Governor.

Addressing a gathering after a naming ceremony of a chowk in Andheri, a western suburb of Mumbai, the Governor said that Maharashtra would be left with no money if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were thrown out of the state.

The tone of the statement is that it is Gujaratis and Rajasthanis who contributed to keeping Mumbai as the financial capital of the country.

"if Gujarati and Rajasthani people are removed from Maharashtra, especially Mumbai and Thane, there would be no money left here. You call Mumbai the financial capital, but if these (Gujarati and Rajasthani) people are not here, then it won't be called financial capital," the Governor said.

When Koshyari's statement drew criticism, the Raj Bhavan released a statement to clear the air over his remarks that said the Governor was praising the contribution of Rajasthani-Marwari and Gujarati communities in making Mumbai the financial capital of the country.

The release further said that what the Governor said had been misconstrued and that he had no intention to demean the Marathi people and urged political parties not to create controversy.

"But my statement was misconstrued, like always. Marathi people have played a major part in developing Maharashtra. We have started looking at things from a political prism, and we need to change it. Praise of one community cannot be an insult to another. Political parties should not create controversy. I will never insult Marathi people," He said.

The newly appointed Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, and the BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tried to keep distanced themselves from Governor's statement, saying the parties they both belong to do not endorse Koshyari's remark.

They said nobody can deny the contributions of Marathi people in the development of Mumbai, adding that Marathi industrialists and entrepreneurs have contributed hugely and earned recognition not only in Maharashtra but globally.

Several leaders from the Shiv Sena and Congress have criticised Koshyari. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut condemned the remarks saying that the Governor had insulted the hard-working Marathi people.

"Soon after the BJP-sponsored Chief Minister came to power, the Marathi man is getting insulted," Raut tweeted in Marathi.