Rahul Gandhi has taken on the Shiv Sena for the second time in as many days.

Gandhi, in Bihar, said, "Mumbai belongs to Indians. Every part of India belongs to every Indian."

Gandhi's remarks came hours after Uddhav Thackeray, in an editorial in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Saamna, targeted Gandhi. On Monday, Gandhi said that it was wrong for the Thackerays to suggest outsiders should not be accepted in Mumbai. During 26/11, Gandhi said, many of the commandos who fought to save the city were from North India.

Thackeray's editorial said those comments insulted the bravery of martyrs like Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar, Tukaram Omble, all daring Marathi policemen. "Where was Rahul Gandhi when Mumbai was attacked?" Thackeray wrote.

Gandhi's response: "I am not interested in the views of Bal Thackeray or (MNS chief) Raj Thackeray. People have a right to go anywhere. I am not going to remain silent and stop people of UP and Bihar from going to Maharashtra."

Both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have been campaigning against migrant labour from UP and Bihar in Mumbai.

The current controversy began over whether taxi drivers in Mumbai should have to be fluent in Marathi. Yes, said Maharashtra's Congress Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan. After much public criticism, Chavan revised his stand to say Gujarati and Hindi were also acceptable as pre-requisites for taxi driver permits. The Thackerays insist that's not ok.

Uddhav is especially keen to project a strong anti-migrant image because his cousin, Raj, benefited from his "Marathi Manoos" platform in the state's elections last year. (With PTI inputs)