Dadoji Konddeo statue removal: Shiv Sena calls for Pune bandh tomorrow

Slamming the NCP for removing the Dadoji Konddeo statue from Lal Mahal in Pune, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray today said that his party has called for a bandh tommorrow in Pune as a mark of protest.

In a statement, Uddhav described as "unfortunate" that the Pune Municipal Corporation removed the statue of Dadoji Konddeo, considered a "guru" of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, like it is of a 'terrorist'.

"Congress-NCP government should take quick decisions like this for unauthorised constructions in Pune including Lavasa," he said.

Uddhav said NCP was giving undue importance to organisationS like Sambhaji brigade which objects to the reference of Konddeo as Shivaji's guru. "This is all NCP politics for 2012 civic polls," he charged.

Endorsing Shiv Sena's stand on the issue, BJP leader Vinod Tawade also blamed deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar who belongs to NCP and the guardian minister of Pune for removal of the statue.

"Pawar is responsible for the removal of the statue while the issue is still pending before the court and we were demanding discussion on it. He is trying to shift the focus of the people from real issues by touching emotional topics like this," Tawade said.