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The collapse of a statue dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered Maratha warrior king, has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, accusing the ruling Mahayuti government of rampant corruption, has blamed the incident on negligence and poor construction practices. The 35-foot statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg last December, collapsed on Monday afternoon, prompting the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to call for an immediate investigation.
Thackeray, in a scathing attack on the Shinde-led government, dismissed the official explanation of strong winds as the cause of the collapse, calling it a “height of shamelessness.” He further criticized Minister Deepak Kesarkar’s statement suggesting that something positive might arise from the incident, deeming it disrespectful to the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. The MVA, in protest against the government's handling of the situation, has planned a march from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India in south Mumbai on September 1st.
The statue collapse has also fueled tensions between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A clash erupted between supporters of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and BJP MP Narayan Rane, the Thackeray family’s arch-rival, at the site of the collapsed statue. The incident, which resulted in injuries to a police constable, has further inflamed political rivalries and highlighted the volatile nature of the upcoming assembly elections.
The statue collapse, viewed as a symbol of disrespect towards Shivaji Maharaj by the opposition, has provided a potent platform for the MVA to attack the Shinde government. The MVA is capitalizing on the public outrage surrounding the incident to galvanize support and discredit the ruling coalition. The ensuing protests and political clashes point to a highly charged atmosphere in the run-up to the state elections, with both sides vying for public sympathy and support.
Source: Uddhav Thackeray on Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse: Corruption has peaked under Mahayuti government