BJP’s hijacked Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial: Allies

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) alliance partners have alleged that the celebration of the Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial ceremony from Friday in the city has been hijacked by the ruling party. Shiv Sangram leader and BJP ally Vinayak Mete was miffed after allegedly being left out during a procession held in Chembur on Friday and left in between. Swabhiman Shetkari leader Raju Shetty, another BJP ally, alleged BJP “high-handedness” during the programme and hinted he might skip Saturday’s programme.

It was only on Thursday that Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Raote alleged BJP workers had created a ruckus to claim credit for starting a new station on Western Railway.

The BJP has made the laying of the foundation stone for the Shivaji memorial a big event ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending Saturday’s grand ceremony, which the party sees as the beginning of its poll campaign. The advertisements issued by the state government about the memorial carry pictures of the Prime Minister and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, but no space has been given for ally Shiv Sena. In fact, two BJP ministers personally visited Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and convinced him to attend the event after Sena expressed its displeasure. Posters have been put outside the Sena Bhavan office in Dadar, saying, “The Shivaji memorial was Balasaheb’s wish,” carrying photos of Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray.

Aheaf of Friday’s celebration, samples of water of all rivers flowing in Maharashtra was collected and a procession was carried out from Chembur. Ministers Chandrakant Patil, Vinod Tawde, BJP state president Raosaheb Danve and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar attended the ceremony. Mr Mete also remained present but did not participate in the procession. He left in between. “I have not been invited for tomorrow’s programme. I was ignored in the procession and hence I left,” Mr Mete said. The Shiv Sangram leader is heading the government committee appointed for the memorial.

Meanwhile, Swabhiman Shetkari leader Raju Shetty, another BJP ally, also alleged BJP highhandedness during the programme. “We did not get any opportunity to participate in the ongoing programme. I have received the invitation but just as a formality. Shivaji Maharaj is our leader too and the memorial will be built from the public fund,” Mr Shetty said, hinting he may skip Saturday’s ceremony.

On Thursday, Shiv Sena and BJP workers had clashed at the inauguration ceremony of Ram Mandir station. State transport minister Diwakar Raote initially appealed to the workers to remain silent but it was in vain. Irked by the ruckus allegedly made by BJP workers, Mr Raote finally said, “Lord Ram is far above Modi…”.  However, trying to cover up the Sena’s disappointment, minister Eknath Shinde said everything is fine between the alliance partners. “Uddhavji Thackeray has been invited for the ceremony tomorrow. We all are participating and there is no question of ignoring Sena from the programme,” Mr Shinde said.

The BJP’s spokesperson however, refused the allegations made by Mr Mete. “The BJP’s strength is more and hence the number of workers was more. We do not want to bring any politics in name of Shivaji Maharaj and it’s not for votes also. We want all to participate in tomorrow’s programme,” BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said.

Congress Mumbai president Sanjay Nirupam questioned the extravaganza in conducting the celebration. “About Rs 77 crore is being spent on the celebration when the people are not able to withdraw money due to demonetisation. I ask from where did the government get so much of money? We are not against the memorial but it should not be done eyeing BMC polls,” Mr Nirupam said.