Thackeray ridicules PM's 'Shanghai' plan for Mumbai

Ridiculing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's plan to transform Mumbai into Shanghai, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Wednesday said: "Let him first aim to make Mumbai like Bangalore."

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Addressing a press conference after casting his vote at Kherwadi in north-west Mumbai, the Sena chief pointed out that Shanghai has stringent laws against slums. "Where will the large slum population of Mumbai go," he asked.

Thackeray was accompanied by his son Uddhav and daughters-in-law -- Rashmi and Smita.

Reiterating that any attempt to delink Mumbai from Maharashtra will be met with opposition from his party, he said: "Maharashtrians will continue to rule the state capital."

To a question whether this assembly election is an acid test for him and his family, the Sena chief said: "Prestige of
everybody, including Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar, is at stake."

Asked whether his party will seek the support of successful rebel candidates to form the next government, Thackeray said such "situation will not arise as the saffron combine [Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party] will be able to form the government on its own strength."