Uddhav takes the name Chhatrapati Shivaji but emulates Aurangzeb, Afzal Khan: CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday launched a scathing attack on his rival and predecessor Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of playing politics in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, emulating the exploits of Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan.

He also requested all political parties to support the state government in constructing a new statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj instead of playing politics.

Responding to the Maha Vikas Aghadi protests in Mumbai, Shinde accused the opposition of politicising the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district.

Unfortunately, the opposition is playing politics despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Deputy Prime Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and himself apologising for the “painful” incident, Shinde told reporters.

He said in Congress-ruled Karnataka, a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was uprooted using two JCBs (a general term for construction equipment).

“The people of Maharashtra showed him (former chief minister Thackeray) his place two years ago. They take the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but their deeds are that of Aurangzebi and Afzal Khani,” Shinde said, adding that the people will teach the opposition a lesson.

The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had Shivaji Maharaj imprisoned by fraud. He also had Shivaji's son and successor Chhatrapati Sambhaji executed by torture.

Afzal Khan, the general of Bijapur, was killed by Shivaji Maharaj while attacking the Maratha kingdom.

Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan are polarizing figures in Maratha history and the state.

The Chief Minister said the opposition sensed defeat (in the elections) as the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana had reached the beneficiaries in towns and villages.

He alleged that women were not safe during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, citing the arrest of then MP Navneet Rana (due to a Hanuman Chalisa protest) and the partial demolition of actor Kangana Ranaut's residence in Mumbai.

Rana and Ranaut, currently BJP MPs from Himachal Pradesh, are sharp critics of Uddhav Thackeray.

Earlier, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Thackeray led a march by MVA allies from the iconic Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India in south Mumbai to protest against the collapse of the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district.

Speaking to reporters in Thane, Shinde called on all political parties to support the government in building a new “gigantic and inspiring” statue of Shivaji Maharaj.

“We highly revere Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as our deity. It (the collapse of the statue) was a most unfortunate incident. The government has launched an investigation and the culprits will not be spared,” he added.

Shinde reiterated that the MVA demonstrations were politically motivated.

“Had they taken to the streets during the COVID-19 pandemic, they could have won the hearts of the people,” Shinde said in a veiled dig at Thackeray, who has been accused of running the government from his residence during his tenure as chief minister.

“People are aware of everything. They will ensure that they (the opposition parties) are sent away and made to stay at home,” the chief minister said after inaugurating the second phase of Gaimukh Chowpatty, a popular tourist destination in his hometown of Thane.

This Chowpatty is a testament to the government's determination to fulfil its election promises, he added.