Aaditya avoids credit war, inaugurates Juhu lighting projectwith BJP

Realising that the BJP has hijacked Shivaji’s legacy, Shiv Sena puts up banners across the city.While it is still unclear if Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will share the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the bhoomipujan of the Shivaji memorial statue project today, on the ground, the acrimony is palpable.Irked by the realisation that the BJP has hijacked Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji’s legacy and turned the ground-breaking ceremony into its own party event, Sena functionaries put up banners, proclaiming the statue as late Bal Thackeray’s dream, outside its Dadar headquarter and other parts of the city. Additionally, Sena workers also placed flags next to ones put up by the BJP, at the Shivaji statue in Chembur.“There is no mention of the Shiv Sena anywhere in their advertisements - it’s just the PM and the CM. They have clearly converted this into a BJP event. In such a situation, Uddhavji's presence at the function will only send wrong signals. This is especially true because we have slammed the BJP government on every issue, from demonetization to the surgical strikes. If we go for the event, it will look like we have surrendered,” said a senior Sena functionary.The Sena had earlier played truant demanding an invite for Uddhav for the event. Uddhav said he would attend the event only if he was invited ‘respectfully’. With BJP ministers Vinod Tawde and Chandrakant Patil later visiting Matoshree with an invite, many feel BJP has left no scope for Uddhav to skip the inauguration.The strained relations between the two parties came to a head on Thursday during the inauguration of the Ram Mandir railway station at Oshiwara. The event saw activists from both parties heckling each other’s leaders and shouting them down.“The BJP can’t just claim credit for everything. We had followed up on the naming of Oshiwara as Ram Mandir. I myself took up the matter from the BMC to Parliament. Just because they beat their chest loudest doesn’t mean they have done everything,” said Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar.Political observers feel these reservations are not unfounded as the BJP had indeed managed to portray themselves as the champion of the Marathi cause.“BJP has really hijacked Shivaji from the Sena who had maintained monopoly over the ruler, along with the Maratha lobby of Congress, NCP. The blame goes to these parties as they did not take any initiative in this direction during their 15-year rule. BJP is making a show of their achievements now to grab success in the upcoming civic polls," said Bharat Kumar Raut, former Shiv Sena MP and veteran journalist.But among all this, the excitement among BJP workers on the ground is visible. On Friday, a bike procession of BJP workers brought water and soil from various parts of the state and handed it over to Fadnavis for the inauguration. Event rehearsals were also held at the Girgaum Chowpatty.“This will be one of the biggest events the city has ever seen. We have made all arrangements. The Prime Minister will address a rally at BKC. We are expecting one lakh people there. This is our government’s tribute to Shivaji Maharaj. It’s something that the entire country is proud of,” said city BJP chief Ashish Shelar.“It’s only natural that the BJP will use the Prime Minister’s presence to gain political mileage for the BMC polls,” said Raut.Another credit war of sorts broke out on Friday between the Shiv Sena and the BJP over the unveiling of themed lighting at a Juhu beach, which was attended by Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray and Mayor Snehal Ambekar, on Friday.“It was a pleasure to perform bhoomipujan for Themed Lights by BMC at Juhu beach along with Mayor @imsnehalambekar ji and MLA @AmeetSatam ji. The themed lights will be at Juhu beach, Versova and other beaches of Mumbai to illuminate the beaches at night and beautify them. I had given minor inputs while planning the themed lights. Immensely glad to be in company of those who planned, implemented it,” Aaditya tweeted on Friday.