Political Tensions Rise After Shivaji Statue Collapse

The collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Malvan has sparked a political firestorm in Maharashtra, with the ruling BJP accusing the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of politicizing the incident. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the protests staged by the MVA, claiming they are driven by political motives rather than genuine concern for Shivaji's legacy. Meanwhile, MVA leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, criticized the government for alleged corruption in the statue's construction, asserting that the incident is an insult to Shivaji Maharaj and his followers. The BJP responded with protests across the state, arguing that the MVA is attempting to manipulate public sentiment ahead of upcoming elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously offered an apology regarding the statue's collapse, which the MVA leaders deemed insincere. The situation illustrates the deep political divisions in Maharashtra as the state approaches its assembly elections.