PM's Shivaji Statue Collapse Apology Smacked Of Arrogance: Uddhav Thackeray

Top leaders of INDIA bloc in Maharashtra -- Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Nana Patole -- took part in the protest against the collapse of the Shivaji statue

Tearing into the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra over the collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray today claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology on the statue collapse smacked of arrogance and added that the people of the state had rejected it.

Addressing a gathering during the Maha Vikas Aghadi's "jode maro" protest -- meaning hit with footwear -- over the collapse of the Maratha ruler's statue, Mr Thackeray drew a parallel between the statue's collapse and water dripping into the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the new Parliament complex.

"Did you notice the arrogance in the (Prime Minister's) apology? It smacked of arrogance," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. "For what was the PM apologising? For the statue he inaugurated eight months ago? For the corruption involved? The MVA cadre must work together to defeat the forces that have insulted Shivaji Maharaj. The collapse of the statue is an insult to the soul of Maharashtra."