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The collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district has sparked a political controversy, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology for the incident. The party alleges that the statue was constructed hastily for Modi's election campaign and that corruption played a role in the process. Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the government of neglecting proper clearances and blaming the Indian Navy to deflect responsibility. She described Modi's apology as a politically motivated act aimed at appeasing voters before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Modi, during his visit to Maharashtra's Palghar district, expressed regret for the statue's collapse, calling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a deity and bowing his head in apology. He emphasized his personal respect for the historical figure and the hurt caused to his followers. The 35-foot statue, unveiled by Modi on Navy Day in December 2023, fell on August 26th. The incident has fueled accusations of negligence and haste in the construction process, with opposition parties claiming the government rushed the project to showcase it before the elections.
The Mahayuti government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has attributed the collapse to wind and weather conditions. However, opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), have demanded Shinde's resignation, citing the government's failure to ensure proper construction standards and accountability. The statue collapse has become a political flashpoint, highlighting the contentious relationship between the ruling coalition and the opposition in Maharashtra. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential for political opportunism and the need for transparency and accountability in infrastructure projects, particularly those with significant historical and cultural significance.