Collapse of Shivaji Statue 'example of corruption', says Sharad Pawar

Blaming the 'corruption' of the Mahayuti government for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Malvan, the Maha Vikas Aghadi-led opposition have called for the ruling Mahayuti alliance to be booted out from power.

On Sunday, senior MVA leaders like Sharad Pawar of the NCPSP, Uddhav Thackeray of the UBT, and state Congress chief Nana Patole led a protest march from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India against the alleged corruption that brought down the statue of Shivaji at the Malvan Fort. Sharad Pawar took on CM Eknath Shinde' statement which blamed the fall of the statue on powerful winds. "There are numerous statues of Shivaji Maharaj throughout our state. All these statues are fine. However, the statue at the Malvan Fort collapsed as it was an example of corruption. There was corruption in the process of installing the statue. This is an insult to Chhatrapati Maharaj," said Pawar.

While PM Modi during his Mumbai trip apologised for the fall of the statue, Thackeray said that the PM's speech smacked of "arrogance." "Did you notice the arrogance in his apology?" asked Thackeray while addressing the protesters at the Gateway of India.