BJP gaining from Marathi-Gujarati conflict: AAP

(From left) Aam Aadmi Party leaders Preeti Sharma Menon and Dhanraj Vanjari at the Mumbai Press Club on Thursday. Pic/Aditi Sachin Haralkar

Preeti Sharma Menon, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Mumbai president, has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly fuelling the Marathi-Gujarati conflict in Mumbai. AAP has accused the BJP of attempting to sow the seeds of discord among communities in the city for political gain. They emphasised the need for harmony and unity among Mumbai's diverse population, rather than fostering divisive agendas.

Menon, speaking on behalf of the AAP Mumbai unit, said at a press conference on Thursday, "It is unfortunate that instead of focusing on the welfare of the people, the BJP is resorting to divisive tactics. Mumbai has been a melting pot of cultures and languages, and we should celebrate this diversity rather than using it to create rifts."

Another senior AAP official stated, "The Marathi-Gujarati conflict needs to be stopped immediately. The BJP is taking advantage of the situation. One must not forget that one is an Indian first. The voters of Mumbai are fed up and have to fight for independence again against the tyrants with ‘sarfaroshi ki tamman ab hamare dil me hai' feeling."

Menon also referred to the BJP as a ‘builders' lobby in all six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mumbai'. She said, "Mihir Kotecha and Rahul Shewale [the BJP candidates for Mumbai North East and South Central respectively] are builders. By bringing them to power, we will be giving away the precious land of Mumbai to these builders who will use it for personal gain."

She added that Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the guardian minister of the Mumbai Suburban district is also a builder. "The people are fed up with the Marathi-Gujarati conflict raised by the BJP and will definitely vote for INDIA candidates in Mumbai instead," Menon added.

6
No of Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai