Aaditya Thackeray slams Congress MLA’s demand to make Mumbai a Union Territory

File picture of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and former Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray rejected the idea of designating Mumbai as a Union Territory on Thursday. He cautioned that his party would never accept any effort to separate the city from Maharashtra and called on their ally, the Congress, to take disciplinary measures against Karnataka MLA Laxman Savadi for allegedly making such a suggestion.

Referring to Mumbai as his “motherland,” Mr. Thackeray highlighted the sacrifices made by the “Marathi manoos” in ensuring the city’s inclusion in Maharashtra. In a post on X, the Worli legislator said, “Mumbai was not given to us by anyone; it was achieved through bloodshed.”

The controversy erupted following reports of Mr. Savadi’s statement that if Maharashtra leaders advocate for Union Territory status for Belagavi — a Karnataka border town with a sizeable Marathi-speaking population — then Mumbai should also be declared a Union Territory.

‘Reprehensible’

Denouncing the Congress legislator’s comments, Mr. Thackeray stated, “The demand to make Mumbai a Union Territory is reprehensible. Regardless of whether it comes from the Congress or BJP, the Shiv Sena (UBT) will strongly oppose any attempt to detach Mumbai from Maharashtra. The Congress leadership must hold its MLAs accountable.”

The western State has been claiming administrative rights over 865 villages in the Bidar, Belagavi, Karwar (Uttara Kannada), and Kalaburagi districts of Karnataka, since 1966. The matter is currently under the consideration of the Supreme Court.