Overview
- The Maharashtra chief minister made the assertion at Aaj Tak’s Mumbai Manthan on January 8, one week before the BMC elections on January 15.
- The row followed BJP leader Kripashankar Singh urging a north Indian, Hindi-speaking mayor for Mira Bhayandar, which drew criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS.
- Defending Singh, Fadnavis said north Indians are not outsiders and questioned rivals’ silence after AIMIM’s Waris Pathan suggested a “burqa-clad practising Muslim” could become Mumbai’s mayor.
- He rejected claims of linguistic polarisation, reiterating a “nation first” line and saying the BJP draws support from both Marathi and non-Marathi voters.
- He forecast victories in the BMC and other civic polls and said even a reunion among opponents would not dent the BJP’s vote share.