Maharashtra statue politics: Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse leads to opposition protest

Statue politics is heating up in Maharashtra after a 35-foot statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell three days ago. The Opposition has decided to start a 'Jode Maro Andolan' (beating the government with slippers) on September 1 in Mumbai to protest the alleged corruption in executing the project.

On Wednesday, Sharad Pawar of NCP-SP, Uddhav Thackeray of Sena (UBT) and state Congress chief Nana Patole met and criticised the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance for the collapse of the statue, which was installed last December at the Malvan Fort.

"There was huge corruption involved and hence the statue has fallen. They should have some sense of where not to indulge in corruption," Pawar said. Thackeray said: "There was massive corruption in building and installing the statue. School education minister is saying that they would once again build a statue there, that means they would get another opportunity to indulge in corruption."


BJP leader Narayan Rane and his supporters clashed with the supporters of Sena (UBT) at Malvan. During the two-hour clash, Rane openly threatened on camera: "Let the police step aside and let them (Opposition camp) attack us. We will barge into their homes at night and beat them up."

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said: "Sharad Pawar is a senior leader. He should know that the statue was done by the Indian Navy and not the state government. How is he (Pawar) saying that there should not be corruption in this? Does he mean that corruption is acceptable elsewhere?" Deputy CM Ajit Pawar apologised and said: "Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our deity. The statue falling within a year is a shock to everyone. Whoever is responsible for this needs to be punished."