MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: BJP hit out at the opposition on Wednesday, urging it not to politicise the issue of the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Malvan, while deputy CM Ajit Pawar in Latur apologised “to the 13 crore people of Maharashtra” for the collapse. Congress meanwhile alleged constructions hastily inaugurated by PM Modi had come down.
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis criticised NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar for stating corruption should have been avoided in the construction of the statue.Fadnavis said there should be no corruption in any sphere of life. “Statements are being made with the elections in mind,” Fadnavis said.
“The Navy has set up a committee to investigate the incident. The team has already visited the site and will give its recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” Fadnavis said. “The police have filed an FIR and action will be taken against the civilians responsible for the incident,” he added.
On reports of Sindhdurg-Ratnagiri MP Narayan Rane’s threat to police personnel and the media, Fadnavis said he would not have meant it.
BJP’s Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar also criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT), terming them “political vultures waiting for the prey to die to feast on it.” He once again apologised to the people of Maharashtra for the incident, saying it was unfortunate, painful, and distressing. “The govt has already assured that all those proven guilty will be punished. No one will be spared,” he said.
“Those who are making accusations about this statue today never made any suggestions during or even after the statue was erected. Never did they point out any shortcomings from the govt nor did they visit the place to pay their respect after the statue came up. But the moment this incident happened, all of them rushed to the spot like vultures to gain political mileage. UBT also behaves like a political vulture, waiting for accidents to happen. This is Uddhav Thackeray’s ‘Aurangzebi fan club’,” he said.
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis criticised NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar for stating corruption should have been avoided in the construction of the statue.Fadnavis said there should be no corruption in any sphere of life. “Statements are being made with the elections in mind,” Fadnavis said.
“The Navy has set up a committee to investigate the incident. The team has already visited the site and will give its recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” Fadnavis said. “The police have filed an FIR and action will be taken against the civilians responsible for the incident,” he added.
On reports of Sindhdurg-Ratnagiri MP Narayan Rane’s threat to police personnel and the media, Fadnavis said he would not have meant it.
BJP’s Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar also criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT), terming them “political vultures waiting for the prey to die to feast on it.” He once again apologised to the people of Maharashtra for the incident, saying it was unfortunate, painful, and distressing. “The govt has already assured that all those proven guilty will be punished. No one will be spared,” he said.
“Those who are making accusations about this statue today never made any suggestions during or even after the statue was erected. Never did they point out any shortcomings from the govt nor did they visit the place to pay their respect after the statue came up. But the moment this incident happened, all of them rushed to the spot like vultures to gain political mileage. UBT also behaves like a political vulture, waiting for accidents to happen. This is Uddhav Thackeray’s ‘Aurangzebi fan club’,” he said.