Fadnavis asks not to play politics after tragic collapse of Shivaji Maharaj statue

Nagpur: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue was a tragic incident but politics should not play a role in it.

Fadnavis also promised a thorough investigation and announced tough consequences for those responsible at a meeting with reporters in Nagpur, PTI reported.

A 35-foot-high statue of the 17th-century founder of the Maratha Empire, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district on December 4 last year, collapsed on Monday afternoon.

The opposition attacked the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition in the state over the toppling of the statue, accusing it of corruption and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

“This is a deeply tragic event and no one should exploit it for political gain,” Fadnavis said. He said a large statue would be erected at the site in Malvan tehsil in the coastal district, about 480 kilometers from Mumbai.

Fadnavis said the Navy had taken the investigation seriously and would take action against those responsible. The state government said on Tuesday that the building was constructed by the Navy.

“The incident has already been reported to the police and they are expected to take further action based on the Navy's findings,” Fadnavis said.

Referring to the opposition's attack on the statue toppling, Fadnavis urged them not to look at the tragedy through the lens of the upcoming elections. “Maharashtra does not benefit from such politics,” he said.

Responding to NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar's remark that “corruption in the state has reached its peak”, Fadnavis said the statue was an initiative of the Navy and not a project of the state government.

“Corruption has no place here and it is surprising to hear such statements from a leader of Pawar's stature,” he said.

When asked about the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls at a school in Badlapur near Mumbai, the Deputy Prime Minister assured that strict action would be taken against the perpetrator.