In poll season, Shivaji statue unveiled twice
BENGALURU: Three days after Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Congress MLA from Belagavi Rural, Laxmi Hebbalkar, held a ceremony at Rajhunsgad near Belagavi to unveil the same statue again on Sunday.
The unveiling of the Shivaji statue has become a contentious issue between Hebbalkar and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Gokak, Ramesh Jarkiholi. Hebbalkar has said that she got funds sanctioned to complete the project, but Jarkiholi said the work was done by the BJP government and the Rajhunsghad statue must be dedicated according to government protocol.
Speaking after inaugurating the Shivaji statue, Hebbalkar said, “They (the BJP) have caused enough trouble. They have filed two cases against over this statue issue. But I will face them, as I don’t lack courage.”
“I have respect for chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. But they led him astray and brought him for the inauguration,” she added.
Accusing the BJP of indulging in politics over the matter, she said: “The statue, which was half-painted, was inaugurated in just 12 minutes. This is a huge insult to Shivaji Maharaj.”
“When DK Shivakumar was the minister, I got the grant released in three months. Later, it was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic and floods. Now, the elections are around the corner. But I don’t need to use the statue for political benefits. Give me a chance to do good work.”
Bommai unveiled the statue of Shivaji on March 2. He said BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa had
released ₹14 crore during his tenure as chief minister for development of Rajhansgad. The CM also promised to release another ₹5 crore for development of the fort, adding that the additional funds would be utilised to build community halls, guest houses and amenities for tourists.
Jarkiholi, who has been representing the Gokak constituency for sixth consecutive terms since 1999, said that Hebbalkar, a firsttime legislator, lacks political knowledge as the work completed using government funds should be unveiled by the BJP.
BJP district president Sanjay
Patil, who represented the constituency for two terms before Hebbalkar, said the credit for developing the fort must be his, as he got the project approved by pressuring then tourism minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and present minister CT Ravi, who asked the public works department to go ahead with the project.
Bommai slammed the Congress for inaugurating the statue for the second time. “It is laughable. One can visit the spot and express their honour. Unveiling the same statue again... is a bad precedent. They can visit and offer their respect.”