Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the governor of Maharashtra, has sparked a controversy by claiming that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are expelled from the state, particularly from Mumbai and Thane, there will be no money left in the state and it will no longer be the nation's financial hub, news agency ANI reported.
The governor lauded the Marwari Gujarati community and said everywhere they go, they contribute to the development of the region by constructing hospitals, schools, etc.
He was speaking at a ceremony to name a chowk after the late Shantidevi Champalalji Kothari in Mumbai's Andheri on Friday.
"If Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially Mumbai and Thane, no money would be left here. Mumbai would not be able to remain the financial capital of the country," Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut responded to the situation on Saturday by denouncing Governor Koshyari's remarks and pleading for Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to at the very least denounce the Governor's words.
Taking to Twitter, Raut said, "The Marathi man gets insulted as soon as a BJP-sponsored chief minister is in power. CM Shinde, at least condemn the Governor. This is an insult to Marathi hard-working people."
The governor, according to Raut, seems to imply that Maharashtra and Marathi people are beggars.
"Chief Minister Shinde, are you listening? That your Maharashtra is different. If you have self-respect, then seek the resignation of the governor," he said in another tweet.
Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Shiv Sena member of parliament, claimed that the Governor should apologise for insulting the dedication of the Maharashtrian people.
Taking to Twitter, Chaturvedi said, "This is an insult to the hard work of the people of Maharashtra andand Marathi Manoos who have toiled day in and day out to make the state the leading state of the country. The Governor should apologise immediately,failing which,we will demand to replace him."
The governor of Maharashtra insulted the Marathi people, according to Congress politician Sachin Sawant, and it was dreadful.