Ajit Pawar on Shivaji statue

The collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort has ignited significant political controversy in Maharashtra, with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar publicly apologizing to the state's citizens and assuring action against those responsible. The statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just ten months ago, fell during gusty winds, which the ruling BJP attributes to external conditions, while the opposition blames government negligence and corruption. Clashes erupted between Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters and BJP members, further escalating tensions, prompting calls for accountability from the opposition. An FIR has been lodged against the contractor responsible for the statue's construction, which has been criticized for its quality. Pawar stated that contractors found guilty will be blacklisted, and he promised to prevent such incidents in the future. The incident has become a focal point for political rivalry as Maharashtra approaches assembly elections, with both sides exchanging accusations and blaming each other for the incident.