Maharashtra government not to intervene in Pune's statue row

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan tonight said the government need not interfere in the controversy arising out of the removal of statue of Dadoji Konddeo, considered as Shivaji's mentor, from the Lal Mahal in Pune.

"It is a matter to be handled by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). At this juncture, it was not necessary for the state government to intervene in the matter," he said.

Chavan was talking to reporters after taking part in the concluding ceremony of the 84th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sameelan.

Tension prevailed in Pune after the PMC authorities removed the statue early this morning from Lal Mahal, one of the famous monuments in Pune, pursuant to a resolution passed by civic body dominated by NCP-Congress combine, approving the removal of the statue.

The statue had become a bone of contention following a persistent demand by pro-Maratha outfit 'Sambhaji Brigade' opposing its presence at the Mahal, along with sculptures of Jijabai, mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji and young age image of the Maratha warrior king.