koshyari: Maharashtra opposition hits out at governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari over Chhatrapati Shivaji remarks

The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, the Uddhav Thackeray camp of the Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and various Maratha outfits have united against Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari over his comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji.

The BJP too has taken a dim view of the incident, according to party insiders, who said Koshyari’s continued tenure as governor might prove detrimental to the party.

“In our childhood, we were often asked in school, which is your icon, favourite hero. Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi were the answers. In Maharashtra, you need not look elsewhere … Chhatrapati Shivaji is an icon from the olden times; in modern times, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Nitin Gadkari are found right here,” Koshyari said during a convocation function in Aurangabad on Saturday.

The governor’s remark equating the Maratha warrior king with union minister and BJP leader Gadkari has brought together the entire opposition and even the MNS, which has of late been aligning with the BJP, and there have been protests at many places in the state. “I think it is time for the Prime Minister to take serious cognisance of Koshyari’s totally uncalled for remarks. There needs to be a rethink on him,” said opposition leader Ajit Pawar from the NCP.