Irked over Shiv Sena's tirade against him over his remarks on north Indians, Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday dared the Thackerays to move around without any security cover.
"I challenge those who say things against me. Let the three Thackerays move about without security," Nirupam said, without naming Sena leaders Uddhav, his son Aditya and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray.
However, Nirupam 'excluded' Sena chief Bal Thackeray, saying, "I have respect for Balasahb...there is a different place for him in my mind."
"A campaign is on against me for political benefits," he alleged, after the Sena, following his recent statement on north Indian migrants, threatened him that he might find it difficult to continue living in Mumbai.
"I have never sought any security cover. Today, I called the police commissioner and asked him to withdraw my security," Nirupam said.
On his controversial remarks, Nirupam clarified, "I merely stated that the lifeline of Mumbai is in the hands of north Indians, be it vegetable vendors, auto and taxi drivers or panwallahs. I said that if these people decide to take a day off, Mumbai will come to a standstill. I never gave a call for Mumbai bandh."
Chhatrapati Shivaji was coronated by north Indian brahmins, the Congress MP claimed.
Earlier, Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray had reportedly said, "I dare Nirupam to shut down Mumbai and the Marathi people here... We will break his teeth."
Sena had taken the war of words on to the streets, blackening posters of Nirupam. Congress workers also retaliated, damaging Uddhav's posters.
