Shivaji row: Sena MP Sanjay Raut says Koshyari is a humble BJP worker, not ready to consider him as Governor

Mumbai: Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Mr Sanjay Raut on Tuesday once again targeted the Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari for his controversial comment that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has become an old idol now.

Raut said speaking to the media, "We are not ready to consider him as Governor. He is a humble BJP worker. Governor is neutral and shows dignity in his words and conduct. But ours speaks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule or Savitribai Phule. He has made a mockery out of Maharashtra."

NCP, Shinde camp MLA want Koshyari ousted

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday in a letter urged the President of India Droupadi Murmu to immediately transfer Governor BS Koshyari out of Maharashtra as his controversial statement on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is disrupting the social equation of the state.

Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction today demanded that Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari be shifted out of the state for his recent remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

What did Governor say?

"If someone asks you who your idol is, you don't have to go out looking for it, you'll find them right here in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has become an old idol now, you can find new ones from Babasaheb Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari," said the Governor while speaking at convocation ceremony of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

Earlier controversies

Koshyari on February 8, 2022 stoked a controversy after he claimed that Samarth Ramdas was Chhatrapati Shivaji’s guru. "Many chakravartis (emperors), maharajas took birth on this land. But, who would have asked about Chandragupta had there not been Chanakya? Who would have asked about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had there not been Samarth (Ramdas)," he said.

"I am not questioning the calibre of Chandragupta and Shivaji Maharaj. Like a mother who plays a key role in shaping her child. Similarly, the role of guru (teacher) has a big place in our society," the governor had said.