Collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Sparks Political Row

The collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg has ignited political tensions, with Aditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole accusing the BJP of corruption and negligence. FIRs have been filed against the contractors involved.

The recent collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg has triggered a political storm, with Aditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) lambasting the BJP for what he perceives as a corruption scandal tarnishing the pride of Shivaji.

Thackeray took to social media platform X to denounce the BJP, alleging the ruling party compromised on quality for electoral gains. He also criticized attempts to deflect blame onto the Indian Navy. 'Here too, a favoured contractor friend. Here too, terrible quality of work. Here too, is an inauguration keeping in mind the elections, not the sentiment,' Thackeray stated.

The statue, inaugurated in December 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been at the centre of controversy since its collapse. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole has echoed similar sentiments, accusing the government of corruption at both state and central levels. Following the incident, local authorities filed FIRs against the contractors responsible, but Patole insists that accountability should extend to the government itself.

(With inputs from agencies.)