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‘A Sweet Rasmalai Victory’: South BJP MPs Dig at Raj Thackeray as BJP

Sanjeev Kumar | January 16, 2026 10:21 PM CST

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday hit back sharply at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, with senior leaders using a "rasmalai" jibe on social media as the party surged ahead in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic elections in Maharashtra.

BJP MP PC Mohan shared pictures of the Indian sweet rasmalai on X and wrote, "Ordered some rasmalai. #BMCResults," in an apparent swipe at Raj Thackeray. The post came days after a war of words between BJP leader K. Annamalai and the MNS chief over remarks on Mumbai's identity.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also weighed in, posting on X: "A sweet 'Rasmalai' victory for BJP Mumbai in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Election. Congratulations to CM Devendra Fadnavis and all dedicated karyakartas for their tireless efforts in this victory. The Triple Engine Sarkar, under the leadership of PM Modi, will work strongly for Mumbai's redevelopment and improve Ease of living for all Mumbaikars."

The remarks followed a sharp exchange at a joint Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS rally in Mumbai earlier this week. Raj Thackeray had mocked Annamalai by calling him "rasmalai" and questioned his right to comment on Mumbai, after the BJP leader said during campaigning that the city was not just Maharashtra's but an international city. Thackeray also raised a controversial slogan that is often used as a slur against South Indians in Mumbai. Annamalai responded defiantly, saying he had received threats. "I will come to Mumbai. Try cutting my legs," he said, adding that his comments were being twisted. He later clarified that calling Mumbai a world-class city did not undermine the role of Maharashtrians, just as praising leaders like K. Kamaraj did not diminish their Tamil identity. The BJP leader also accused Shiv Sena leaders of insulting Tamils by mocking traditional attire such as lungis and veshtis, and questioned why the DMK chose to associate with parties making such remarks. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought to play down the controversy, saying Annamalai's statement should not be overinterpreted. "It is a truth that Mumbai is an international city," he said, adding that the opposition was reacting disproportionately. The "rasmalai" exchange follows an earlier BJP gesture involving sweets, after the party sent jalebis to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office following its Haryana election victory in 2024.