Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: In a significant political move, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has announced a silent protest following the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Malvan. The protest, scheduled for August 29, 2024, aims to demand accountability and preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
The 35-foot statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just eight months ago on December 4, 2023, collapsed on Monday, sparking widespread outrage. State NCP president Sunil Tatkare expressed deep concern over the incident, 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.”
Tatkare emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, stating, “It cannot be denied that an unforgivable mistake was made. In order to protest this tragedy and to take precautions to prevent such accidents from happening in the future, the Nationalist Congress Party has organized a rally across the state on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. We will hold a silent protest in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statues and demand that strict action be taken against those responsible.”
The NCP has also urged the government to work diligently to erect a new statue at Rajkot Fort to honor the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. The collapse of the statue has ignited a political controversy, with the Opposition alliance, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP, calling for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s resignation. The Public Works Department has lodged a complaint, citing substandard construction and rusted materials, leading to the arrest of two individuals involved in the project, contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil.
Ajit Pawar’s decision to organize a protest against the government, despite being part of it, has raised eyebrows, given the current political dynamics in Maharashtra. The state’s political landscape has undergone significant shifts since the last election, with splits within both the Shiv Sena and the NCP. Ajit Pawar’s faction, which faced setbacks in the recent Lok Sabha elections, is now positioning itself amid speculation about his future political alignments.
Despite the challenges, Ajit Pawar has reiterated his commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and expressed confidence that the alliance will secure victory in the upcoming state elections.
