Congress calls Maharashtra stir 'unfortunate'

New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) The Congress Wednesday described as 'unfortunate' the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MSN) attacks on the Bachchan family over Samajwadi Party MP and actor Jaya Bachchan's alleged 'anti-Marathi' remarks.

Speaking after meeting party president Sonia Gandhi, Alva said: 'It is an unfortunate development in Mumbai, with language and state being made an issue by certain political parties to divide the people before the general elections.

'Mumbai has always been home to people from all over the country and anyone trying to destroy its ethos is trying to destroy the city itself,' she said.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray had called for a ban on films starring any of the Bachchan family to protest against Jaya Bachchan's alleged 'anti-Marathi' remarks.

Jaya Bachchan later apologised but the MNS has refused to accept her apology.