Mumbai: Unfazed by Shiv Sena’s attack, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will go ahead with his plan to visit the city on Friday and interact with students and slum youths.
The visit comes against the backdrop of Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray questioning the timing of the visit.
Thackeray has said, "What was the need for this visit now. There may be elections in Bihar, but we will not tolerate anything spoken against Mumbai and Marathi pride."
Ticking off Shiv Sena over the migrant issue, Gandhi has asserted that India is for all Indians and people have a right to go anywhere.
Gandhi also faced the ire of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray who got personal over the "Mumbai for all" remark, saying the Congress leader is "totally frustrated".
He said the Sena will not tolerate anything spoken against the "Marathi pride."
Thackeray also raked up Rahul`s mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi`s foreign origin, saying "Mumbai may belong to all Indians but how can it belong to an Italian mummy."
Rahul, during his short visit, will interact with college students at the Bhaidas Hall in suburban Vile Parle and then proceed to Ramabai Nagar slum colony in Ghatkopar to meet slum youths, Mumbai Youth Congress President Sunil Ahire said.
The visit is a part of the ongoing Mumbai Youth Congress membership drive organisational elections.
Shiv Sena to lead black flag protest
Apparently setting a stage for a tough political war, the Shiv Sena today threatened to lead a black flag protest against Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Mumbai tomorrow.
Shiv Sena’s announcement has evoked sharp reactions from the Congress party and its Chief Minister in Maharashtra, Ashok Chavan, has strongly condemned Shiv Sena and MNS led by Raj Thackrey for resorting to such cheap politics and creating divisions.
Talking to reporters, Chavan said, “It is unfortunate to see that both Shiv Sena and MNS had taken politics to such unimaginable depth. One can have any opinion over a particular issue but launching a personal tirade against a senior political figure is highly unacceptable.”
PTI
