Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed his deep sorrow and frustration over the recent incident involving the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue. The incident, which occurred in Karnataka, has sparked a political controversy, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) launching protests in Maharashtra.
In a strong statement, CM Shinde said, “This is a very sad thing for us. Shivaji Maharaj cannot be a political issue for us; this is a matter of identity and faith for us. The incident that happened was unfortunate.” He emphasized that the opposition’s decision to politicize the matter is more disappointing than the incident itself.
The statue of the revered Maratha warrior was reportedly uprooted using two JCBs in Karnataka, an act that has angered many in Maharashtra. Shinde did not hold back in his criticism of those responsible for the incident, stating, “Those who did this should be beaten.”
Shinde also criticized the MVA for choosing to protest in Maharashtra instead of taking action where the incident occurred. He accused the opposition of using the situation for political gain, saying, “Instead of doing this, they are protesting here, but the people of Maharashtra are wise, they are seeing this. In the coming elections, the people of Maharashtra will beat them with shoes.”
The collapse of the statue has become a flashpoint in Maharashtra politics, with both the ruling coalition and the opposition engaging in a war of words. The MVA’s protests are seen as an attempt to hold the Shinde-led government accountable, but Shinde has turned the tables, accusing the opposition of trying to exploit a sensitive issue for political mileage.
As the political temperature rises in Maharashtra, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the upcoming elections. The issue has undoubtedly struck a chord with the people, and both sides are likely to use it as a key point in their campaigns.
