Nirupam rakes up another migrants versus locals row

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam sparked a fresh controversy over the volatile issue of migrants versus locals in Mumbai.

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam sparked a fresh controversy on Monday over the volatile issue of migrants versus locals in Mumbai when he said if North Indians want they can bring the city to a halt as it is heavily dependant on their services. With elections to the BMC scheduled for early next year,pro-Marathi parties,such as the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS),were quick to latch on to the issue and dared him to close down the city.

Speaking at a function organised for North Indians in Nagpur on Monday,Nirupam a former Shiv Sainik said: If North Indians decide not to report to work one day,they can bring Mumbai to a halt. They were not a burden on the city,as some politicians had made out to be,but carry the burden of the citys development,he added.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray challenged Nirupam to shut the city down and warned that Mumbai or North Indians were not Nirupams property. If he dares shut the city down,he will get a fitting reply. Such statements are being made because elections are drawing near and the corruption-riddled Congress is not confident of winning, said Thackeray.

Story continues below this ad

Nirupam has also been at loggerheads with MNS leaders over the locals versus migrants issue over the past two years. MNS MLA and senior leader Bala Nandgaonkar said Nirupam does not have any standing in the Congress and his remarks should not be taken seriously. Why should we give him any credence when he doesnt have any standing within his own party, said Nandgaonkar.

The Congress,too,sought to distance itself from the controversy with spokesperson Anant Gadgil saying that the remarks were Nirupams personal opinion and not supported by the party.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan also rebuffed Nirupam. Nobody will be allowed to stop Mumbai in its tracks. We will ensure that Mumbai will continue to function smoothly, he told reporters in Umred,a town 50 km from Nagpur.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...

Common supplies to joint training: Armed Forces look at steps ahead of theatrisation

India58 min ago

Indian Armed Forces are working towards greater jointness and integration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force through standardizing equipment, supply chains, and training. The Combined Commanders Conference discussed measures to improve understanding and create theatre commands.

View all shorts

Live Blog