The issue of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is considered a great hero of Maharashtra and the whole country, collapsing in the storm is proving to be a burden for the state government. The entire government has come on the back foot on this issue and is trying to escape from it in some way. The opposition has got a readymade issue due to the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj’s statue before the election season. This is the reason why on one hand CM Eknath Shinde said that I am ready to touch the feet of Shivaji Maharaj’s statue 100 times and apologize. He said that Shivaji Maharaj is revered in Maharashtra and he should be kept away from politics.
Ajit Pawar has also expressed grief over the fall of this statue in Sindhudurg. He said that I apologize to the 13 crore people of Maharashtra for this. He is constantly saying that I apologize to 13 crore people with folded hands. The fall of Maharaj Shivaji’s statue is like a shock for us. Ajit Pawar said, ‘The contractors found guilty in this case will be blacklisted. As the Deputy CM of the state, I apologize. I promise that no such incident will be allowed to happen in the state in future.’
Eknath Shinde said that Maharaj Shivaji is the patron deity of Maharashtra. I am ready to touch his feet 100 times and apologize. BJP leader and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has also expressed grief over this. However, he also said that the statue of Maharaj was built under the supervision of the Indian Navy. The state government had no role in this. Fadnavis said that the state government will install an even bigger statue of Shivaji and his respect will be maintained.
Actually, Shivaji Maharaj is an emotional aspect in the politics and society of Maharashtra. Any party or leader can do politics only with his respect. In such a situation, the fall of his statue is a sensitive issue. If this issue drags on till the elections, then the NDA alliance may also suffer losses.