'PM Modi insulted Shivaji, should apologize to all...': Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologize to every person in Maharashtra over the collapse of the statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "A few days ago, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was damaged," Gandhi said. "After this, Narendra Modi said 'I apologize to Shivaji Maharaj.'.. But, Narendra Modi has insulted Shivaji Maharaj. He should apologize not only to Shivaji Maharaj but also to every person in Maharashtra."
Gandhi unveils statue, criticizes BJP in Sangli
Gandhi made these remarks while addressing a gathering in Sangli, where he unveiled a life-size statue of late Congress leader Patangrao Kadam. In his speech, he criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of favoring a select few under its government. "Congress's ideology is in the DNA of Maharashtra... We want social progress but they (BJP) want that only a select few get all benefits," he said.
Shivaji statue collapse sparks political controversy
The 35-foot statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort collapsed during a spell of gusty winds on August 26, sparking a huge political row in Maharashtra ahead of the assembly elections later this year. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) slammed the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance for erecting a substandard statue and accused it of corruption. Modi had unveiled the statue on Navy Day in December 2023.
PM Modi apologizes for statue collapse
Last week, PM Modi issued an apology for the statue collapse during an event in Palghar. "For me and my colleagues, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not a name or a king, but a revered deity... I also apologize to all those who worship Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I know their sentiments are hurt," he had said.
