Maharashtra: BJP launches counter protest against MVA over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse

Chhatarpati Sambhaji Nagar (Maharashtra) [India], September 1 (ANI): Accusing the opposition of trying to gain benefit from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse incident, the Bhartiya Janata party on Sunday launched a counter protest against the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Maharashtra BJP leader Prasad Lad said that the opposition is trying to set a narrative over the statue collapse incident in the Malvan area of the state and is trying to politicise the case ahead of the Assembly elections.
Several BJP leaders gathered at the Dadar area of Mumbai and held hoardings, shouted slogans and organized cultural performances in honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
"We are expressing the love and respect we have for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj...We are protesting against the manner in which Maha Vikas Aghadi is protesting over it and setting a narrative...If opposition wants to benefit from it regarding elections, then it is a different matter," BJP leader Prasad Lad said while speaking to ANI.

The Defence Ministry said earlier that a joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy with representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts is being formed to investigate the unfortunate damage to the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at Rajkot Fort, Sindhudurg, subsequent to the exceptional weather conditions in the region.

The Statue was unveiled on December 4 last year as part of the Navy Day celebrations conducted, for the first time, in Sindhudurg, aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy, the Defence Ministry release said.

It said the project was conceptualised and steered by the Indian Navy, in coordination with state govt which also provided funding for it.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackery has questioned the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the incident.
"There is no excuse for this mistake. Shivaji Maharaj and Gateway of India is the gateway of our country. This anti-Shiva government is sitting in an unconstitutional manner. The Prime Minister of the country came four days ago. He apologized. Even while apologizing, he did not have anything on his face," he said.
"Did you apologize for putting up the Maharaja's statue to cover up the corruption? This is Modi's guarantee, wherever he lays his hands, truth will be destroyed. Maharashtra's soul has been insulted, Maharashtra's religion has been insulted. Maharashtra will never forgive those who insult Shivaji," he added. (ANI)