Malaria politics: Priya Dutt slams Raj Thackeray

Congress Member of Parliament Priya Dutt on Monday described Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray's comments -- blaming migrants for the spread of malaria in Mumbai -- as an attempt at 'making a mockery' of the whole issue.

"This is not a scientific explanation about the spread of malaria. The mosquitoes are not selective about whom they bite or do not bite. His comments make a mockery of the whole thing," she said.

Dutt said the plight of Mumbaiites due to malaria was 'very sad' and accused the government hospitals of lacking proper treatment facilities to deal with the crisis.

"The problem is to be attributed to the Bombay Municipal Corporation for the problems being faced by the people. Action has to be taken. It is a serious matter," Dutt said.

Thackeray had said migrants to Maharashtra were responsible for the spread of malaria and they had flooded the hospitals, leaving no space for patients who hailed from the state. Several areas of Mumbai have been affected by the mosquito-borne disease after the onset of monsoon in the state.