• Source:JND
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Maharashtra opposition leaders, part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, held a protest march on Sunday from Hutamtma Chowk to Gateway of India in South Mumbai against the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district. Slamming the state government on the issue, NCP (SCP) leader Sharad Pawar termed it as a case of corruption, while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology over the issue one "smacking of arrogance".

The statue of the 17th-century Maratha warrior king at Rajkot Fort in Malvan tehsil collapsed on August 26. It was unveiled by Prime Minister Modi on December 4, 2023, in celebration of Navy Day.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, and Mumbai Congress head Varsha Gaikwad kicked off the protest march by laying wreaths at Hutatma Chowk, a memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the 'Samyukta Maharashtra' movement.

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What MVA Leaders Said

Addressing the large gathering of MVA supporters at the Gateway of India, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Thackeray said: "Did you notice the arrogance in the (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's) apology? It smacked of arrogance. One deputy chief minister was smiling."

Maharashtra will never forget the insult to the legendary warrior king, he added. He cited the statue collapse, leakages in the Ram Temple and the new Parliament complex to mock Modi's "guarantees".

NCP (SCP) leader Sharad Pawar termed the incident as an example of corruption.

"The collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg is an example of corruption. It is an insult to all Shiv premise (followers of the warrior king)," he said.

BJP Holds Cross-Protest

To counter the protest of the MVA, the Bharatiya Janta Party held a cross-protest against the MVA to show their love and respect for Shivaji Maharaj.

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"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 the Opposition wants to benefit from it regarding elections, then it is a different matter," a BJP leader said.