Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the site of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in the Sindhudurg district to assess the situation following the recent controversy surrounding the statue.
Pawar shared images from his visit on the social media platform X. In his post, he expressed concern over the incident, stating, "Everyone is saddened by whatever happened. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our deity, and everyone is proud of his history. The Chief Minister has held a meeting in this regard."
Pawar also emphasized that efforts are underway to build a new memorial and promised that action would be taken against those responsible for the incident, asserting, "They will be caught wherever they go."
Two days earlier, during a public meeting, Ajit Pawar apologized to the public for the fall of the statue, an event that has sparked widespread political debate.
Clash Between Political Factions
The situation intensified last Wednesday when a clash erupted between BJP leader Narayan Rane and workers from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction. The confrontation further escalated tensions, prompting Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to call for restraint and urge political leaders to avoid politicizing the issue.
To address the controversy, Shinde announced the formation of two committees: one to investigate the reasons behind the statue's fall and identify those responsible, and the other to prepare a blueprint for the construction of a new statue.
Structural consultant arrested
The Kolhapur Police have already taken legal action by arresting the structural consultant and contractor involved in the statue's construction. The statue, which fell within nine months of its unveiling, has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra, with accusations of corruption and negligence being leveled against the authorities involved.
Opposition's Planned Protest
In response to the incident and alleged corruption, the opposition alliance, Mahavikas Aghadi, has announced a protest against the government. The protest is set to take place near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on Sunday, September 1. The opposition demands accountability and transparency in handling the situation, further heating up the political climate in the state.
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