Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar have criticised the Eknath Shinde-led government over the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The 35-foot statue of the Maratha king, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, collapsed on August 26, 2024. Thackeray claimed that the government’s explanation of gusty winds causing the collapse is an attempt to cover up corruption.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress, will hold a protest march from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India on September 1 to denounce the government's handling of the statue's collapse.
Thackeray and Pawar allege that the statue was erected hastily to influence the Lok Sabha elections and that the sculptor lacked experience. They also claim that the government is attempting to shift blame onto the Navy.
Pawar condemned the government’s attempt to absolve itself by blaming the Navy, while NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule has called for Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s resignation, accusing him of failing to manage the fallout.
Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised to install a bigger statue at the same location in Sindhudurg. This response is seen as an effort to manage the controversy surrounding the collapse.
Both Thackeray and Pawar have alleged corruption in the construction of the statue. Thackeray suggested that the incident was used as an opportunity for a new contract and potential scam.
Supriya Sule criticised the state government for not issuing an official apology and for focusing on self-preservation rather than addressing the issues raised by the statue collapse.
ADVERTISEMENT
