Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi on Shivaji statue collapse, seeks apology for demonetisation, GST

Rahul Gandhi was in Sangli in Maharashtra for the inauguration of a statue of Congress stalwart Patangrao Kadam.

Rahul Gandhi criticised PM Modi over Chhatrapati Shivaji statue collapse. (File photo)

Wading into the political controversy over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Maharashtra, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his apology, saying that the incident took place because of corruption in the making and installation of the sculpture. He sought a similar apology for demonetisation and the implementation of “wrong GST”.

“Only those who do wrong work have to apologise; those who don’t, don’t need to,” Gandhi, who was in Sangli for the inauguration of a statue of party stalwart Patangrao Kadam, said. “There might be various reasons for Modi to apologise recently for the collapse of the Shivaji statue. Maybe he realised the error of giving a contract to an RSS-associated person or for the corruption in the contract or for not giving due attention to the work of statue installation,” Gandhi added.

PM Modi, who was in Maharashtra last week, had apologised for the collapse of the Shivaji statue at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district, saying that the Maratha emperor was “our aaradhya dev (revered deity)”. The 35-ft Shivaji statue had been inaugurated by Modi on December 4 last year and collapsed on August 26.

“The collapse of the statue within a few days is an insult to Shivaji,” Gandhi said, adding, “The Prime Minister should not only apologise to the Maratha king but to every citizen of the state.”

Also Read | A statue falls and a controversy rises: Why did Shivaji statue sport a scar?

“The Prime Minister should apologise for giving big contracts to only a few industries, for demonetisation, and for the wrong GST as it finished small and medium businesses which led to a loss of employment,” Gandhi said.

“There is a new model in the country where products from China are imported and sold by a few traders,” Gandhi said. He also criticised PM Modi-led government for waiving off “Rs 16 lakh crore loans of 20 to 25 industries but not of farmers”. “If the loan of the rich can be waived, then why not the poor? That is what we are asking justice for,” Gandhi said.

In light of the Assembly elections likely to be held in Maharashtra soon, Gandhi said he was confident that the Congress and its allies (the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance) would come to power in the state. “I will be there whenever required,” he said.

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Gandhi also said that there was an ideological fight in the country between the Congress and the BJP. “The Congress’s ideology matches the ideology of Maratha kings Shivaji and Shahu, social reformer Jyotiba Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. We focus on the social progress of all but the BJP wants the backward to remain backward. They believe in disputes between people of different castes, religions and languages,” he said.

Gandhi also pointed out that though it had been more than a year since Manipur was witnessing a “civil war-like situation”, Modi had not visited the state.

The Congress, Gandhi said, was committed to holding a caste census to ascertain the real situation in society and to ensure justice for all. The RSS, he added, was against it and is now demanding the same.

Also Read | Untraceable since the collapse of Shivaji statue, police issues lookout circular against sculptor Apte

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also referred to the Shivaji statue collapse and said it was installed in haste ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. “There are incidents of statue collapse, bridge collapse and leakages in Ram temple…just to rush up for Modi to inaugurate. This is the kind of development done by Modi,” he said.

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Kharge said that citizens should support MVA in the Assembly elections as they did during the Lok Sabha elections. “The change in power in the state will lead to a change in the Centre,” he said, adding that the MVA would remain intact.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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