Rahul and Udhav spar on Mumbai migrant issue

The war of words between Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena over the Mumbai migrant issue intensified today with the Congress leader asserting that India is for all Indians and Udhav Thackeray accusing him of insulting Marathi policemen who were killed in the 26/11 attacks.

"India belongs to Indians. Every part of India belongs to every Indian. I am not interested in the views of Bal Thackeray or (MNS chief) Raj Thackeray,"  Gandhi said adding he was not going to remain silent.

"In Mumbai (during the terror attacks), men in the NSG were from Bihar, UP, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. At that time they (Sena) did not say that those from Bihar and UP should be taken out. India has to move forward and all have to be taken forward," he said addressing a press conference here.

In Mumbai, Udhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena Executive President hit back at the Congress leader saying,, "Rahul Gandhi has insulted the bravery of martyrs like Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar, Tukaram Omble, all daring Marathi policemen, and NSG Major Sandeep Unnikrishan."

"Where was Rahul Gandhi when Mumbai was attacked," Uddhav was quoted as saying in Sena mouthpiece Saamna. Thackeray said he condemned the "anti-Marathi" statement of Rahul.

Gandhi said, "People have a right to go anywhere. I am not going to remain silent and stop people of UP and Bihar from going to Maharashtra."