PM Modi’s Apology For Shivaji Statue Collapse: Can Strategic Move Control Damage Ahead of Maharashtra Polls?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology for the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Konkan’s Malvan is crucial, given the emotions attached to the Maratha warrior king in poll-bound Maharashtra.

PM Modi had unveiled the statue at Rajkot Fort eight months ago. Modi acknowledged the deep hurt caused by the incident and expressed regret over the damage to the statue, emphasising the need to honour Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy with utmost respect.

In Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj is not just a historical figure, but a symbol of identity and pride for millions, especially the Maratha community. Modi’s apology is a strategic political move, given the importance of Maharashtra in India’s political landscape.

BJP’S MAHARASHTRA PLANS

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Modi’s leadership, has been keen on strengthening its presence in the region, especially after voters turned their backs on the BJP and its alliance partners in the recently held general elections.

In Maharashtra, the BJP and its alliance partners were confident of winning more than 42 of the 48 seats, but they only managed to secure 17 seats.

Critics of the BJP are of the opinion that by publicly apologising, Modi tried to mitigate any potential backlash, further preventing it from becoming a major reason for people not to support them in the upcoming elections.

Additionally, the Maratha community, which has maintained its distance from the BJP, cannot be further alienated. The incident could have sparked widespread protests, and the apology serves to calm sentiments and demonstrate the government’s sensitivity to local cultural icons.

OPPOSITION SPEAK

Mumbai Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad said, “Just apologising won’t wash away the wrongdoing. If a statue collapses within eight months, it means some kind of corruption has happened in its making. Why is the PM or the Centre not launching an Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe the way they do against the opposition to settle political scores?" Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “This apology comes after huge public outcry. This apology comes after knowing that the opposition is asking for accountability, and it came too late."

MARATHA SUPPORT

The apology also comes at a time when the Maratha community is vocal about its demands for reservation in education and government jobs. The community, which constitutes a significant portion of Maharashtra’s population, has been agitating for increased political representation and social benefits, claiming historical injustices. The issue of Maratha reservation has been a contentious one, with frequent protests and political maneuvering.

Modi’s apology, therefore, could be seen as an attempt to placate the community and assure them of the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns. By linking the apology to the broader context of Maratha pride and reservation demands, Modi may be seeking to bolster support among Marathas, a crucial voting bloc in Maharashtra.

Will this apology from the PM control damage for the Mahayuti government in the state? Before the PM, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde both tendered their apologies to the people of Maharashtra, but the anger was not subsiding, with the opposition continuing its attacks.

With his apology though, the PM has tried to put an end to all controversies, the issue may have given the opposition the much-needed ammunition right before the upcoming assembly polls.