The chief minister announced on Wednesday that the centre had accorded permission for the celebration at Raigad fort on June 6.
Sensing a threat to the law and order situation posed by the opposition parties over the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, chief minister Ashok Chavan threw all his weight to get permission from the central government to go ahead with the celebration.
The chief minister announced on Wednesday that the centre had accorded permission for the celebration at Raigad fort on June 6.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which manages the monumental forts in the heart of Sahyadris, had declined permission for the celebration of the 336th anniversary of the coronation of the Maratha warrior earlier this week.
ASI cited provisions in the Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010. Shiv Sena and other parties had expressed dismay, announcing to celebrate the occasion at any cost.
Uddhav Thackeray, executive president of Shiv Sena, had said on Tuesday that his party would defy the order.
The chief minister sensed the trouble and political clash on the issue. He personally communicated to the prime minister office, as the cultural affairs portfolio is held by the prime minister.
Chavan said he had spoken to the union secretary in the ministry and ensured that the permission was given.
“The department immediately agreed to issue the permission for the celebration. The recent amendment in the Act concerned had given the right of permission to the central government. This created technical hitch leading to the certain confusion,” Chavan said on Wednesday.
The chief minister also added that his government would try to get the standing permission for the celebration every year.
Government also has planned to depute an official representative to participate in the celebration which is commemorated by Shiv Sena and other parties every year.
Shiv Sena, now, has claimed that the hasty move to seek permission from the central government was the result of the agitation launched by them.
“They acted only after we threatened to defy the ASI order and conduct the ceremony at Raigad fort,” said Neelam Gorhe, Sena spokesperson.
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