Flaying the MNS and the Shiv Sena’s anti-migrant stand, NCP leader Praful Patel on Wednesday said the Maharashtra government was responsible for protecting the interests of all people living in Mumbai and there was no question of “succumbing to these kind of pressures“.
“Ultimately it is the responsibility of the state government to protect the interests of each and every person who lives in Mumbai... there is no question of succumbing to these kind of pressures,” he said when asked about the threat to migrants by Shiv Sena and MNS in Mumbai.
The NCP and the Congress are partners in the Democratic Front government in the state.
Mr. Patel said the “social and cosmopolitan fabric” of Mumbai cannot be allowed to be destroyed.
On Shiv Sena’s threat to Shah Rukh Khan for his comments on Pakistani cricketers’ participation in the Indian Premier League, Mr. Patel said, “I have just heard the comments of Chief Minister of Maharashtra that any personality, from film industry or otherwise, will be given complete security.”
Shiv Sena has said it will not allow release of Mr. Khan’s forthcoming movie in Mumbai for saying that Pakistani players should have been allowed to play in the IPL.
