Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Apologizes for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 28: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar extended an apology to the people of Maharashtra following the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort earlier this month. He assured strict punishment for those responsible and promised that such incidents would not happen again.
Addressing the ‘Jan Sanman Yatra’ at Ahmedpur assembly constituency in Marathwada region, Pawar said, ‘I apologize to 13 crore people of Maharashtra for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse.’ He added, ‘Contractors found guilty in the incident will be blacklisted. As a Deputy CM of the state, I promise that such incidents will not happen ever again in the state.’
Senior leader and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) State President Sunil Tatkare and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Sanjay Bansode also attended the event.
The 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on Monday afternoon. The statue was inaugurated in December 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the statue fell due to strong winds.
Following the incident, opposition leaders criticized the state government, demanding accountability. Prahar Janshakti Paksh leader Bacchu Kadu said the government is not connected to the ideology of Shivaji Maharaj. Swarajya’s Sambhaji Chhatrapati called it a sad incident and mentioned he had written to the Prime Minister about the statue’s quality. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and chief Uddhav Thackeray also criticized the government, alleging corruption.
Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole accused the government of corruption at both the state and central levels.
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Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in western India. It is known for its capital city, Mumbai, which is the financial hub of India.
Deputy CM -: Deputy CM stands for Deputy Chief Minister. This person is the second-in-command in the state government, just below the Chief Minister.
Ajit Pawar -: Ajit Pawar is a politician in India. He is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj -: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a great warrior king and the founder of the Maratha Empire in India. He is a very important historical figure in Maharashtra.
Rajkot Fort -: Rajkot Fort is a historical fort located in Rajkot, a city in the state of Gujarat, India. It is a place of historical significance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government and makes important decisions for the country.
Opposition leaders -: Opposition leaders are politicians who are not part of the ruling government. They often criticize the government and hold it accountable for its actions.
Corruption -: Corruption means dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by powerful people like government officials. It often involves taking bribes or using power for personal gain.
