NCP Faction Protests Collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue, Sparks Political Tensions

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 29th August. In a sign of internal discord within the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has condemned the recent collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The incident, occurring just months before the state polls, has led the faction to organize a silent protest demanding accountability and action against those responsible.

State NCP President Sunil Tatkare expressed the faction’s outrage, 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.”

The 35-foot statue of the revered 17th-century ruler was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023. Its collapse on Monday has ignited a political controversy, with the Opposition alliance—comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP—demanding Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s resignation.

Tatkare emphasized that an “unforgivable mistake” had been made and announced that the NCP would hold a statewide silent protest on August 29, 2024. The protest will take place in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statues across Maharashtra from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a call for strict action against those responsible. The NCP has also urged the government to expedite the construction of a new statue at Rajkot Fort to honor the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj.

A complaint lodged by the Public Works Department alleged that the statue’s construction was substandard, with rusted nuts and bolts being used in the structure. A case has been registered against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil, who were involved in the project.

The decision by Ajit Pawar’s NCP to protest against the government it is part of has raised eyebrows, especially given the shifting political landscape in Maharashtra. The state has witnessed a major realignment of political forces since the last election, with the Shiv Sena splitting into factions led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray, and the NCP divided between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar.

In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Opposition alliance delivered a strong performance, winning 30 out of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. The ruling BJP-led coalition is now under pressure to reclaim its ground in the upcoming state polls.

Ajit Pawar’s decision to call for a protest has fueled speculation about his political future, especially after his faction’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, where it won just one seat. The junior Pawar has also faced internal strife, losing several leaders to the Sharad Pawar faction and admitting that fielding his wife Sunetra against his cousin Supriya Sule was a “mistake.”

Despite these setbacks, Ajit Pawar has reiterated his commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and expressed confidence that the coalition will retain power in Maharashtra. However, the recent developments have sparked rumors about a possible return to his uncle Sharad Pawar’s camp, a move that could have significant implications for the state’s political dynamics.