We are followers of Ram, why use 'burn down Lanka' phrase: CM Fadnavis' remark aimed at deputy Shinde?

'Someone may say they will burn down your Lanka. But we do not live in Lanka. We are followers of Lord Ram. Ravana cannot be the brother of Lord Ram. So why use such language during elections', Fadnavis said.

Mumbai: Amid all the local body poll hustle, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis Wednesday remarked that "we don’t live in Lanka and are followers of Ram", a statement which is seen as an apparent dig aimed at his deputy Eknath Shinde.

The former Maharashtra chief minister, during one of his rallies had said that the demon-king Ravan was ruined because of his arrogance.

Fadnavis said, "Someone may say they will burn down your Lanka. But we do not live in Lanka. We are followers of Lord Ram. Ravana cannot be the brother of Lord Ram. So why use such language during elections? We have Bharat here,” Fadnavis said in Dahanu.

The Chief Minister was addressing an election rally for Bharat Rajput, who has been fielded for the President of Dahanu Municipal Council.

Fadnavis emphasised that his focus was on development and performance.

"I have come to tell you what we are going to do and also show what we have already done," he said.

Shinde, who was in Dahanu for an election rally for Shiv Sena’s Raju Machhi a couple weeks ago had used the 'burn down your Lanka phrase. He said: “Even Ravana was arrogant, and hence his Lanka was burnt down…You have to do the same on December 2. People must finish corruption and vote for development.”