In a significant development within Maharashtra's ruling coalition, the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has strongly condemned the recent collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, intensifying political tensions ahead of the upcoming state elections. The 35-foot statue, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4 at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, collapsed on Monday, merely eight months after its inauguration. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among the opposition parties.
State NCP president Sunil Tatkare expressed his deep anguish over the event, stating, "It is very painful and heart-wrenching that the statue of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj erected at the Rajkot Fort in Malvan has crashed. It is shocking that this statue fell in just eight months (after it was inaugurated)." He further emphasized the gravity of the situation by acknowledging the potential negligence involved: "It cannot be denied that an unforgivable mistake was made."
In response to the tragedy, the NCP has organized a statewide silent protest on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statues across the state. The protest aims to demand strict action against those responsible for the statue's collapse and to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future. The party has also called for the immediate construction of a new statue at Rajkot Fort to honor the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj.
The collapse of the statue has also led to a political uproar, with the Opposition alliance, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Public Works Department has lodged a complaint alleging that the construction of the statue was substandard, with rusted nuts and bolts used in the structure. Consequently, a case has been registered against two individuals involved in the project: contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil.
Ajit Pawar's decision to hold a protest against the government, of which he is a part, has raised eyebrows and added another layer of complexity to Maharashtra's already tumultuous political landscape. With the Shiv Sena split into factions led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray, and the NCP divided between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, the state's political dynamics have shifted dramatically since the last election.
Ajit Pawar's faction, which secured only one seat in the recent Lok Sabha elections, has faced internal challenges, including the defection of several leaders to Sharad Pawar's camp. The Deputy Chief Minister's admission that fielding his wife, Sunetra, against his cousin and Sharad Pawar's daughter, Supriya Sule, was a "mistake" has further fueled speculation about his political future.
Despite these setbacks, Ajit Pawar has reiterated his commitment to the NDA and expressed confidence that the alliance will form the government in Maharashtra again. As the state prepares for the upcoming elections, the political significance of Ajit Pawar's protest and the ongoing tensions within the ruling coalition will likely play a crucial role in shaping the electoral outcome.
