Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the governor of Maharashtra, issued an apology on Monday after receiving criticism for his remark that “Mumbai will have no money if the Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were to depart.”
On Friday night, Koshyari made the contentious remarks at a ceremony to dedicate a chowk (intersection) in the suburban Andheri area.
“I tell people here that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially from Mumbai and Thane, you will be left with no money and Mumbai will not be a financial capital,” he had said. A statement issued by Raj Bhavan on Monday evening quoted Koshyari as saying that he is confident that people of Maharashtra will display their large heart and forgive him for his recent remarks.