Uddhav Thackeray Trains Guns on CM Eknath Shinde at Protest: A Fiery ‘Jode Maro Andolan’
The political temperature in Maharashtra for touched new heights on Sunday when Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray led a theatrical protest in Mumbai, attacking the Mahayuti government over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue. The protest, termed ‘Jode Maro Andolan’ (hitting with slippers), saw in attendance the leaders of the MVA coalition-including NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole-as it marched from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India. This demonstration against the state government’s handling of events in recent times thus reflected the growing discontent of the opposition parties.
The Statue Collapse Incident
This protest was sparked by an incident that occurred on August 26 when the 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, collapsed. This statue, located at Rajkot Fort in the Sindhudurg district’s Malvan tehsil, had only been inaugurated eight months ago by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023. The collapse of such a significant symbol of Maratha pride has raised a furor, with the opposition hammering the state government for corruption and negligence.
Opposition’s ‘Jode Maro Andolan’
Angered by the falling of the statue, leaders of the MVA coalition hit the streets in solidarity and defiance. The ‘Jode Maro Andolan’ was symbolic of protest as the participants hit a poster of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar with their slippers. It is a kind of protest action against what the opposition perceives as incompetence and corruption of the Mahayuti government, not just anger.
Uddhav Thackeray, addressing the protesters, slammed the government for being so callous while dealing with this situation, as the collapse of the statue was an insult to Shivaji Maharaj’s memory and thus was the failure of the government. Thackeray joined the protest-a fact that shows just how seriously the opposition takes its grievances and how far they will go to make sure accountability is meted out from this government.
Congress’ Allegations and Demands
Congress, which is the lead partner in the MVA combine, was equally critical. Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said even an apology from the Prime Minister would not atone for the dent to Maharashtra’s pride. Patole explained that the fall of the statue proved the government did not give two hoots for due process and the safety mechanisms for a priority project like this. He said the statue had been installed in a tearing hurry ahead of some political function and without due checks and clearances.
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan endorsed Patole’s sentiments when he termed the incident a “blot” on the state and a reflection of all-pervasive corruption. Chavan went further to accuse the Mahayuti government of dragging Maharashtra towards bankruptcy and questioned the seriousness of Modi’s apology, terming it politically motivated.
BJP’s Counterattack
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party did not spare any punches in combating the accusations by its opposition. Chief BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye termed the ‘Jode Maro Andolan’ a desperate political gimmick for getting eyeballs ahead of elections. Upadhye lambasted the Opposition’s new-found love for Shivaji Maharaj, calling it a superficial display to garner political mileage.
He further questioned the consistency of MVA as in the past, too, controversial statements made by Congress leaders against Shivaji Maharaj had not attracted such protests. Upadhye cited apologies by Jawaharlal Nehru on Shivaji Maharaj and by Sonia Gandhi on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and asked if MVA was going to stage agitations on those issues too.
Road Ahead
The fall of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue flared a severe political battle in Maharashtra, wherein the opposition and the ruling government blamed each other for insincerity and negligence. The protest of the MVA marked a high moment in the political scenario within the state, driving home that opposition was ready to take on the government for all subjects of public concern.
With tensions rising, the Maharashtra government is under increasing pressure to assuage the sentiments raised by the fall of the statue and prove its commitment to safeguarding the state’s cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the opposition is not letting go of this opportunity to question the credibility and capability of the government, and a confrontational political face-off is on the cards for the ensuing days.
Conclusion
The protest by Uddhav Thackeray and MVA coalition, ‘Jode Maro Andolan’, symbolizes this restless scenario of Maharashtra politics. This collapse of a monument of that stature-the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj-not only makes public outrage but, quite critically, a flashpoint for political rivalry. As the state moves forward, how the government and opposition navigate this crisis would have a great say in the future of Maharashtra politics and the legacy of its leaders.
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