The controversy over the proposed construction of a Bihar Bhavan in Mumbai has intensified, with sharp exchanges between leaders from Bihar and Maharashtra.
Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary launched a sharp attack on Raj Thackeray, questioning his authority in Maharashtra. “Is Raj Thackeray the king of Maharashtra? Who is he to say that Bihar Bhavan will not be allowed to come up here? We will build Bihar Bhavan under any circumstances,” Choudhary said. He went on to use strong language against his critics, calling them “cheap and irrelevant people,” and claimed that the building was being constructed out of sentiment, adding that Bihar Bhavans exist in several other states as well.
Responding to Choudhary’s comments, MNS leader Avinash Abhyankar hit back, saying Bihar’s leadership should first put its own house in order. “They should focus on improving their own state. People from Bihar migrate because there are no jobs there. Provide employment and stop them from leaving only then will they understand why people move out. Their state depends on Maharashtra, and unless they fix their system, that dependence will continue,” Abhyankar said.
Defending Raj Thackeray, Abhyankar added that Thackeray had formed a political party at the age of 35 and had extended support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha elections at the BJP’s request. “They should learn from Raj Thackeray. Instead of running down others, they should work towards making their own state prosperous,” he said. On the Bihar Bhavan issue, Abhyankar added that once complete details are known, Raj Thackeray would present his stand. “Mumbai treats people from across the country, and many come here for medical care. What exactly is this Bhavan meant for? Let the facts be clear first,” he said.
The Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal questioned the intent behind the project. “Why is there a need to build a Bihar Bhavan in Mumbai? This must be clearly explained. If the idea was cultural exchange, it could have been welcomed. But this decision appears to promote regionalism and create friction,” Sapkal said. He added that had there been a reciprocal proposal such as building a Maharashtra Bhavan in Patna along with a Bihar Bhavan in Mumbai it could genuinely be termed cultural exchange.
Meanwhile, BJP’s newly elected corporator Navnath Ban took a swipe at the MNS, saying, “Instead of opposing Bihar Bhavan, they should build a ‘Har Bhavan’. Let the MNS focus on creating something constructive rather than opposing everything.”
