'Try Cutting My Legs': BJP's Annamalai Dares Raj Thackeray, Slams 'Rasmalai' Jibe

Chennai: A fresh political storm has hit the Maharashtra civic poll campaign trail after BJP leader K. Annamalai hit back at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray over a taunt made at a Mumbai rally.

What sparked the clash?

The sparring began when Raj Thackeray mocked Annamalai by calling him "rasmalai" and questioned his right to speak on issues concerning Mumbai because of his Tamil Nadu roots.

How did Annamalai respond?

On Monday, Annamalai, former Tamil Nadu BJP chief and ex-IPS officer, rejected the jibe and the criticism of his comments about Mumbai's status.

Speaking at a press briefing in Chennai, Annamalai said he wasn't intimidated by personal insults or online threats, even those saying his legs should be cut if he came to the city.

"Who are Aaditya Thackeray and Raj 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," Annamalai said.

"Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. I will come to Mumbai - try cutting my legs. If I were afraid of such threats, I would have stayed in my village," he told reporters in a blunt challenge.

Annamalai defended his earlier remark that Mumbai is an international city and stressed that praising the city didn't mean denying the role of Maharashtrians in building it. He said critics were being "ignorant."

"If I say Kamaraj is one of India's greatest leaders, does it mean he is no longer a Tamil? If I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does it mean Maharashtrians didn't build it? These people are just ignorant," former Tamil Nadu BJP chief added.

What did Raj Thackeray say?

Raj Thackeray’s comments came at a joint rally with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders as part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election campaign.

He revived an old slogan, "Hatao lungi, bajao pungi", linked to past language and regional politics, and questioned Annamalai’s influence and connection to Mumbai.

'One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu... what is your connection to here? Hatao lungi, bajao pungi," Thackeray said.

Why is this matter politically charged?

The clash unfolds just days before polling in 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Pune, scheduled for January 15. Both camps are pushing hard for votes ahead of the civic polls.

Annamalai's comments and the backlash highlight deeper tensions around identity politics and regional pride that have long shaped Maharashtra's political landscape.