Feeling the heat, BJP distances itself from Koshyari’s remarks on Shivaji

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be divided over the remarks by Maharashtra governor BS Koshyari against Chhatrapati Shivaji

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be divided over the remarks by Maharashtra governor BS Koshyari against Chhatrapati Shivaji. Two days after deputy chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis supported Koshyari for his remarks by saying he was misunderstood, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said that the party completely disagreed with the remarks.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari salutes after hoisting the National Flag on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day celebrations in Mumbai, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade))(PTI01_26_2021_000101B) (PTI)

Shelar, on Monday, said that the remarks by Koshyari were incorrect. “Whether passed knowingly or unknowingly, but the remarks were completely incorrect. I completely disagree with it. Let people do politics over it (by demanding to recall the governor), but our stand is clear that we do not agree with whatever he said. It was completely uncalled for,” Shelar said.

Fadnavis, on Sunday, had said that Koshyari did not mean to demean Chhatrapati Shivaji. “His remarks were misunderstood and interpreted in the wrong way. Shivaji Maharaj was our idol and will remain so till the end of universe,” he had said.

Maharashtra governor sparked the row on Saturday by saying that Shivaji Maharaj was the hero of ‘olden days.’ The remarks drew flak with opposition protesting against him across the state for last three days. The opposition has also demanded the central government to recall Koshyari for his repeated remarks against iconic personalities from the state.

According to the party leaders, Shelar’s clarification comes in anticipation of the damage the party could sustain in the forthcoming local body polls.