GOVT COMMITTED TO CARRY ON SHIVAJI'S LEGACY, SAYS CM

Thackeray visited Shivneri Fort in Pune to pay tribute to the Maratha king on his birth anniversary

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday expressed his government's resolve to carry forward the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Thackeray visited the Shivneri Fort in Junnar tehsil of Pune district in the morning to pay tributes to Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary, and announced Rs 23 crore assistance for the development of the fort.

He also said that cases filed against protesters during the Maratha quota agitation in 2018 will be withdrawn.

"The poor and needy feel this is their government. That is the reason people have come for this 'Shiv Jayanti' function in large numbers. Our government is committed to carry forward the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Thackeray said after attending some programmes, including a 'cradle ceremony', and reviewing the fort's development works.

He said Rs 23 crore have been sanctioned for the development of the Shivneri Fort.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and others also attended the birth anniversary function of Shivaji Maharaj.

Thackeray said, "Both myself and Ajit dada (Pawar) have come together for doing some good constructive work, and I vow that I will not rest till I achieve the goal." On the occasion, the chief minister told Pawar that they "should have come together long ago".

Thackeray further said that all steps will be taken to preserve Chhatrapati Shivaji's forts and memorial. "We will ensure that works are not hampered for lack of funds," he said.

Earlier, state Congress president Balasaheb Thorat and senior party leader Ashok Chavan, both ministers in the Thackeray Cabinet, also paid their respects to Shivaji Maharaj in their Twitter posts.

NCP president Sharad Pawar also paid tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and tweeted that his bravery and administrative excellence is incomparable.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Devendra Fadnavis extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti. "Salutations to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary," he tweeted.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari paid tribute to Maratha emperor. Interacting with reporters on the occasion, the Governor said," I want to request to all the people of the country, that we all should draw inspiration from the lives of such great human beings." Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi also paid to tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.