Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has ordered party workers to welcome Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi with black flags during his visit to the city on Friday, in protest against his statement that people from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and the rest of the country saved Mumbai during 26/11. The NCP, an ally of the Congress, has also criticised Gandhi for the insensitive remark.
The state government and the Mumbai police have tightened security at the venues for his interaction with youth and slum-dwellers. Chief minister Ashok Chavan warned of strict action if anyone took the law into his hands.
“The Italian prince is on a visit to Mumbai tomorrow. Welcome him with black flags,” Thackeray ordered his workers. Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray too had said the party would hold protests against Gandhi on his visit. Uddhav had alleged that Gandhi had made the statement with an eye on the assembly elections in Bihar.
State NCP president Madhukar Pichad criticised Gandhi’s remarks. “The person who caught 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab alive was a Maharashtrian — Tukaram Ombale. The remark by Rahul Gandhi was unnecessary,” he said.
Gandhi will interact with college students at Bhaidas Hall in Vile Parle and later meet slum youths at Ramabai Nagar, Ghatkopar, as part of a membership drive and organisational elections of the Mumbai Youth Congress.
