Nobody is trying to take Mumbai away: Ajit Pawar

Reacting to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's remark that he would shoot anyone who tries to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar today said that nobody was trying to do so.

"Nobody is severing Mumbai from Maharashtra," Pawar said, talking to reporters in Nashik.

Thackeray, at his party's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai last evening, had said, "I won't allow anyone to split Mumbai from Maharashtra. If needed, I will fire bullets from the pistol at anyone who attempts to do so."

Pawar was in Nashik to attend a function to mark the first death anniversary of the late NCP leader, Dr Vasant Pawar.