'Try cutting my legs': K Annamalai dares Raj Thackeray after ‘rasmalai’ slur over Mumbai remarks

Annamalai said he would visit Mumbai despite warnings, asserting that intimidation would not deter him.

“Some people have written that my legs will be chopped off if I come to Mumbai. I will come to Mumbai. Try chopping off my legs. If I were scared of such threats, I would have stayed in my village,” Annamalai said, calling Thackeray’s remark an “insult to Tamilians.”

Backing Annamalai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Mumbai is an international city and sought to play down the controversy. “Do not take Raj Thackeray seriously,” Fadnavis said, in an apparent attempt to defuse tensions within the ruling alliance.

The row began after Annamalai, campaigning ahead of the upcoming civic elections in Maharashtra, described Mumbai as the financial capital of the country and a global city that must be administered by capable leadership.

He said Mumbai required a “triple-engine government” with the BJP controlling the civic body, the state, and the Centre.

“Mumbai is a global metropolis with a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore. Bengaluru’s budget is Rs 19,000 crore and Chennai’s is Rs 8,000 crore.

Managing such finances requires the right people in administration,” Annamalai said.

His remarks triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties, particularly the MNS.

Responding to Annamalai’s comments, Raj Thackeray said, “One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu… what is your connection to this place? Hatao lungi, bajao pungi,” invoking a slogan associated with the Shiv Sena’s regional identity politics of the 1960s and 1970s.

Annamalai later questioned the threats allegedly issued against him.

“Who are Raj Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmer’s son. They have organised meetings just to abuse me. I don’t know whether I have become that important,” he said.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, are scheduled to be held on January 15, with counting set for January 16.