Uddhav takes name of Shivaji but emulates Aurangzeb: CM Shinde

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday launched a searing attack at his rival and predecessor Uddhav Thackeray and accused him of doing politics in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while emulating the deeds of Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan.

He also called upon all political parties to support the state government in erecting a new statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj instead of playing politics. Reacting to the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s protests in Mumbai, Shinde accused the Opposition of politicising the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district.

Unfortunately, the opposition is playing politics despite apologies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and himself for the “painful” incident, Shinde told reporters. He said in Congress-ruled Karnataka, a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was uprooted with two JCBs (a generic term used for construction equipment).

“People of Maharashtra have shown him (ex-CM Thackeray) his place two years ago. You take the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but deeds are Aurangzebi and Afzal Khani,” Shinde said, adding that the people will teach the opposition a lesson. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned Shivaji Maharaj through deceit.

He also executed Shivaji’s son and successor Chhatrapati Sambhaji by torturing him. Afzal Khan, the Bijapur general, was killed by Shivaji Maharaj when he attacked the Maratha kingdom. Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan are polarising figures in Maratha history and the state. The chief minister said the Opposition had sensed defeat (in elections) as the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana has reached beneficiaries in cities and villages.