Gadkari says NCP leader's remarks unfortuate

Maharashtra BJP chief Nitin Gadkari has described as "unfortunate" objections raised by NCP leader Vinayak Mete over appointment of a noted historian in a panel to build a memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
 
"People will not accept casteist politics on the issue," Gadkari told reporters here yesterday while commenting on Mete's remarks that Babasaheb Purandare, a Brahmin, should be removed from the committee.
 
He said Purandare is a respected historian who has popularised the life and times of the 17th century Maratha King.

The state government has proposed to construct a 309-feet high statue of Shivaji in Arabian Sea off Marine Drive in South Mumbai. The statue is part of a Rs 300-crore project to build a memorial of the Maratha leader.
 
Gadkari said the Shiv Sena-BJP combine worked well in the Lok Sabha elections and "we are also going to contest forthcoming Assembly elections together".