Opposition parties corner BJP over Shivaji Maharaj statue
In his speech at Navi Mumbai airport's foundation stone ceremony, Mr Modi promised a memorial to Shivaji by 2022.
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised the completion of work on the Shivaji statue in Arabian Sea before 2022, but Opposition parties are cornering Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the issue.
The completion of the BJP’s national headquarters in Delhi has become the trigger point for them. “BJP completed the work of its office within time but neither Shivaji’s statue nor Dr Ambedkar’s statue started in Mumbai,” said Opposition leaders.
Mr Modi has laid the foundation stone of the Shiv-aji statue on December 23, 2016. A year before that, he also laid the stone for the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial in Indu Mill on October 11, 2015. But work for both memorials has yet to begin. However, work for BJP’s national headquarters at Delhi’s 6, Deendayal Upadhyay Marg was started on August 18, 2016 and it is now completed. PM Modi along with senior leaders of his party inaugurated the newly built building this Sunday.
Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, Nation-alist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik and many others were quick to raise this point on Monday, as it was also the birth anniversary of the Maratha emperor. “BJP’s office is completed but Shivaji Maharaj and Babasaheb Ambed-kar’s memorial work is yet to be started. This shows the priority of the BJP,” taunted Mr Nirupam.
In his comment, Mr Malik said, “BJP promised Achche Din for people and memorials for great leaders. But neither have Achche Din come nor were the memorials built. If there is any development work going on in the country, it is only the BJP’s.”
In his speech at Navi Mumbai airport’s foundation stone ceremony, Mr Modi promised a memorial to Shivaji by 2022. He mentioned about his respect for Shivaji in his speech and praised the king’s foresight in understanding naval power.