Mumbai, (The Hindu): Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s praise of north Indians and their contribution in making Mumbai a great city has not gone down well with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which has called him ‘bhaiyya bhushan’.

“Today, when we speak of Mumbai and Maharashtra, we see the north Indian community. This city has always given shelter to many, and those who have got shelter have always added to the city’s prestige,” Mr. Fadnavis said in Ghatkopar on Wednesday.

MNS leader Sandip Deshpande on Thursday said that being the CM, Mr. Fadnavis cannot get the Maharashtra bhushan (icon of Maharashtra) award, but after Wednesday’s statements, he will surely get ‘bhaiyya bhushan’ award.

“It seems such statements are made by the CM in the backdrop of the Gujarat elections. He must take lessons from the CM of Karnataka to know the importance of language. He must remember that he is the CM of Maharashtra and not of any other language,” said Mr. Deshpande.

Mr. Fadnavis on Wednesday also targeted the MNS without naming the party. He said that in recent times, a few people are targeting north Indians. “But we are capable of taking action against those people without even a complaint.”