Sanjay Raut (file photo).
Photo: ANI
Expansion
The political atmosphere in the state has heated up after Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari made a controversial statement regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. MP Sanjay Raut, leader of Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction, has made scathing remarks on Saturday targeting the governor. MP Sanjay Raut said what has happened to the Governor of Maharashtra (BS Koshyari)? Today he insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. BJP and MNS are protesting against Rahul Gandhi for his statement on Veer Savarkar. The shoes thrown during these protests should be collected and sent to Raj Bhavan now. Tell that Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had said that Shivaji has become old, Nitin Gadkari is the new ideal of today.
What did the governor say?
Addressing a function at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad on Saturday, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said, “If someone asks who is your role model? You don’t need to go out for it. You can find it right here.” You will find them in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has now become an old idol, you can find new idols from Babasaheb Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari (Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways) right here.”
Responding to the governor’s statement, Raut also dragged the ruling Eknath Shinde faction and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into the controversy. He asked him who the rival Shiv Sena faction and the BJP would call the ‘old ideals’. Speaking to news agency ANI, Raut said that “Shivaji Maharaj has now become an old icon. Governor, Shinde faction and BJP tell who will be the next old icon?”
Raut called upon people to come forward and protest against the governor’s statement, saying it was time for Marathas to ‘wake up’ and show their strength and express collective outrage against the remark. A spokesperson of the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction condemned the governor’s statement, saying he is known for insulting great leaders. Uddhav faction spokesman Anand Dubey said in a statement that “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not only revered by us, but also our source of inspiration. He will always be a role model for all of us.”
He said that according to the statements of the Governor, even Lord Ram and Lord Krishna have become old idols. Should we now look for new gods to worship?” Dubey said the Governor’s statement should be strongly condemned. Has got bail from PMLA court on 9th November.