Pune general body avoids debate on Dadoji Konddev statue

The general body (GB) of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was adjourned on Monday amidst uproarious protests from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporators.

Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal signalled for the adjournment of the GB as the opposition members were pressing for a vote on the issue of re-installing the statue of Dadoji Konddev at Lal Mahal and also for installing a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s father, Shahajiraje Bhosale.

Independent corporator, Ujjwal Keskar had put up the proposal regarding this matter and the municipal secretary, Sunil Parkhi had listed the matter in the docket for April.

Trouble started soon after the leader of the house, Subhash Jagtap read out the matter and asked for an opinion from the senior legal advisor, Manjushree Idhate. The legal advisor, opined that as the matter was sub judice, the GB could not discuss the matter. The mayor signaled for the national anthem, signalling the adjournment of the GB.

It might be recollected that last year in December, the statue of Dadoji Konddev was removed by the civic administration following a GB resolution. This action of the civic body had caused an uproar in the GB, with opposition corporators creating havoc in the hall. The removal of the statue was also challenged in the court by city-based historians and opposition corporators.