The historic Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg became the epicenter of high political drama on Wednesday, following the shocking collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue, just eight months after its grand installation. The incident has ignited widespread outrage across Maharashtra, leading to a fierce confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena factions, once allies but now bitter political rivals.
Tensions escalated as BJP MP Narayan Rane, accompanied by his son and former MP Nilesh Rane, arrived at the fort. Simultaneously, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray, son of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, reached the site with senior leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including Vinayak Raut, MLA Vaibhav Naik, and NCP (SP) State President Jayant Patil. The fort, once a symbol of Maratha pride, quickly transformed into a battleground of political allegiances.
The collapse of the statue, which occurred on Monday, has sparked outrage and disbelief across the state. Citizens, activists, and political groups have taken to the streets in protest, demanding answers and accountability. The situation reached a boiling point as the MVA organized a protest march to Rajkot Fort, aiming to hold the government responsible for what they see as a glaring failure.
As Aaditya Thackeray and other MVA leaders began their inspection of the fort, tensions flared. Supporters from both camps exchanged heated words, with slogans and accusations flying. The once close relationship between the Thackerays and the Ranes, forged during their time together in the Sena, has now turned into one of the state’s most visible political rivalries.
Narayan Rane, visibly incensed by the confrontation, refused to back down. Standing his ground, he declared, “We are on our own soil. If outsiders try to impose their will here, we won’t retreat. Let them do what they want—even fire bullets—but we won’t budge.” His defiant words only added fuel to the fire, further inflaming the already charged atmosphere.
Aaditya Thackeray, speaking to the media after the altercation, did not hold back in his criticism of the BJP. He accused the ruling party of gross mismanagement and corruption in the installation of the statue, a symbol so revered by the people of Maharashtra. “It’s unfortunate and childish,” Thackeray remarked. “We are at a fort dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj, and yet politics is being played. The intelligence of these leaders is as small as their height,” he added, taking a sharp dig at the Rane camp, which only intensified the hostility.
The police, sensing the situation could spiral out of control, acted swiftly to separate the rival factions. Their presence, however, did little to dampen the fiery rhetoric exchanged by both sides. Even as the confrontation simmered, Thackeray and his MVA colleagues continued their inspection of the fort, determined to show their resolve and commitment to holding the government accountable.
The collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue has now become more than just a symbol of structural failure. It has evolved into a flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between the MVA and the BJP-led ruling Mahayuti coalition. Both sides are fiercely vying for public support, each attempting to position themselves as the true defenders of Maharashtra’s pride and heritage.
As the state gears up for the upcoming assembly polls, the Rajkot Fort incident is likely to resonate deeply with voters. The controversy surrounding the collapse has exposed the fissures in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with each party seeking to leverage the incident to galvanize their base. The Shivaji Maharaj statue, once a unifying symbol, now stands at the heart of a bitter and deeply divisive political struggle.
