Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday hit out at Devendra Fadnavis over the latter's "existence in danger" remarks against Thackeray brothers, saying that the Maharashtra Chief Minister should worry about himself since the Thackeray family was capable of handling threats against them.

While addressing a press conference here, he said that Fadnavis' remarks questioning the work done by the Thackeray brothers for Marathi 'manus' was actually a challenge to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

"Devendra Bhau, don't worry about us. The Thackeray family is capable of handling threats against them. We are not scared like you. We don't create a bogus voter list just to win elections. We don't distribute money as you do. You worry about yourself," Raut said.

The UBT Sena MP lambasted Fadnavis, saying that the issue of "son of the soil" has remained relevant for 60 years in Maharashtra. Raut further stated that no one would have cared about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if it weren't for Bal Thackeray, who boosted the party.

Marathi 'manus' is in danger because of the BJP, he asserted.

"This issue has been going on for 60 years in Maharashtra. This is not about the Thackeray brothers. He is challenging Hindu Hridya Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray. Balasaheb boosted your party, and you're challenging him? Otherwise, nobody cared for you. You didn't have two people whose posters you could put in Mumbai and Maharashtra. If a Marathi man is in danger, it's because of the BJP. This is why our direct fight is with the BJP," Raut said.

Earlier, Fadnavis and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde held a joint rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park, launching a scathing attack on the Thackeray brothers. The CM questioned the Thackeray brothers about their work for the Marathi 'manush' over the past few decades.

"If Marathi manush is in danger. What have you been doing for 30 years?" Fadnavis said while stating that it was not the Marathi manush whose existence was in danger, but the Thackeray brothers.

Fadnavis also asserted that the new BMC mayor will be "from Mahayuti, will be a Hindu, and a Marathi."

Countering Opposition claims over threats to the "Marathi manus", Fadnavis said it was not the Marathi community but certain political forces whose existence was at stake, underscoring that Maharashtra belongs to all Marathi people, not any single group.

"It's not the Marathi manus whose existence is in danger. It's you whose existence is at stake. I want to say this again that you are not the whole of Maharashtra. You are not the only Marathi here. I want to reiterate that only Marathi person will be at the helm of affairs in BMC. Only Marathi will lead," Fadnavis said.

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Polling for Mumbai's municipal elections will be conducted on January 15, along with polling for more than 20 other municipal corporations. The results will be announced on January 16.