Attempt to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra is afoot: Sena

Mumbai, Jan 20: Referring to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's proposal of a committee headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Mumbai-related issues, Shiv Sena on Tuesday alleged that some industrialists and politicians were conspiring to separate the city from Maharashtra.

"In the last one month, discussions have once again started about Mumbai. Industrialists with deep pockets and politicians are trying to separate this city from the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke about a committee under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for development of Mumbai," Sena leader Sanjay Raut said while speaking to a news-channel.

Sena is a partner in the BJP-led state government.

"There are more than 100 cities that the Centre wants to convert into smart cities, but people still aspire to take Mumbai away. This city fills the stomach of Maharashtra. This city must not be taken away if the Marathi-speaking people are to get the respect they deserve. This is what Balasaheb (Thackeray) fought for. People who want to separate Mumbai will not be able to do so as long as Sena is here," Raut said.

Raut, who edits the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', also announced that 'Balkadu', a film produced by him on the life of the late Bal Thackeray, will release on Thackeray's birth anniversary, January 23.

"We want to spread the thoughts of Balasaheb among the young generation through the film," he said. "Balasaheb did not have grudges against any (other) state. He used to say he was a Maharashtrian in Maharashtra, a Bengali in Bengal, a Kannadiga in Karnataka and so on," Raut said.

PTI