Book equating Shivaji Maharaj to Modi kicks up storm in state

Mumbai: A book written by a BJP leader, which equates Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has kicked up a storm in Maharashtra. The leaders of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have criticised the book, terming it an insult to the great king.

‘Today’s Shivaji Narendra Modi’, written by BJP leader Jai Bhagwan Goyal, was released in an event held at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday.

However, it has made the BJP to face the flak from all quarters, with social media abuzz with strong reactions. In the political arena, too, the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have criticised the book.

Sena MP Sanjay Raut has asked the Maharashtra BJP to make its stand clear on the issue. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj cannot be compared in this world with anyone. There is only one sun, one moon and one Shivaji Maharaj,” he wrote on Twitter.

The Sena leader also alleged that Mr Goyal had earlier abused Maharashtra and Marathi people. “Who is this guy Jai Bhagwan Goyal, who has written this ‘great’ book and released in the BJP office? This is the same person who had attacked Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi and had abused Shivray’s Maharashtra and Marathi people. Well done BJP!!! (sic),” Mr Raut’s tweet read.

Mr Raut has also appealed to the descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to clarify on the issue. “The author has called Shivaji Maharaj by his first name and equated him with Narendra Modi. Do the descendants, who have joined the BJP, agree with this? Do Udayanraje and Shivendraraje from Satara and Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje from Kolhapur agree with this? They should say something on this,” he said.