Mumbai: A political war of words broke out on Wednesday after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam’s remark on Muslim Indian-origin leader Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory in the New York City mayoral election. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) leader Anand Dubey reacted sharply, calling Satam’s comment divisive and questioning his mental condition.
Dubey criticised Satam for saying that “no Khan can be imposed on Mumbai,” referring to Mamdani’s election, and went on to say that the Uddhav Sena was willing to fund Satam’s “treatment at the mental hospital in Agra.”
Also read: Mamdani’s Stunning New York Win Marks a New Chapter — But His Real Challenges Begin Now
“Ameet Satam’s mental state seems to have deteriorated. Since becoming BJP’s Mumbai president, he’s been realising his decline, which is why he’s constantly making bizarre statements about Mumbai’s next mayor,” Dubey told ANI.
‘Marathi Hindu Will Become Mayor’
Though Dubey slammed the BJP for what he described as its continuous attempt to stir communal sentiments, he also asserted that only a Marathi Hindu would become Mumbai’s next mayor.
“I can confidently say that the saffron flag will fly again in the municipal elections, and a Marathi Hindu will take charge as the city’s mayor,” he added.
‘Don’t Prove PM Modi Wrong’
Intensifying his attack, Dubey also referred to the BJP’s outreach program in Uttar Pradesh known as the “Saugat-e-Modi” initiative, which distributed Eid gift kits to 10 lakh Muslim families earlier this year.
“I want to ask Ameet Satam was Prime Minister Modi sending the Saugat-e-Modi kits to Mamdani, or to Pakistan or Bangladesh? Don’t prove the Prime Minister wrong,” Dubey said.
The BJP Chief’s ‘No Khan’ Tweet
Satam’s controversial remark came shortly after Mamdani became New York’s first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Satam warned against attempts to “impose a Khan in Mumbai,” writing, “The way the political colour of some international cities is changing, looking at the surnames of a few mayors and the vote jihad of Maha Vikas Aghadi, we must stay alert. If anyone tries to impose a Khan on Mumbai, it will not be tolerated. Wake up, Mumbaikars!”
Mamdani, who won about 50 percent of the votes, defeated Donald Trump-backed Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the New York City elections.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare has announced that elections to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats across the state will be held on December 2, with counting scheduled for the following day.
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