The celebrations to mark the 56th Maharashtra Foundation Day turned into a political tug-of-war between ruling partners Shiv Sena and BJP ahead of the MCGM elections slated next year, with workers of both the parties hoisting their respective flags near 'Hutatma Smarak' here.
The memorial, located in south Mumbai, was built in memory of the 105 martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of 'sanyukta' (unified) Maharashtra.
The BJP workers needled the Sena cadres by hoisting the party flags at a square overlooking the Shiv Sena Bhavan at Dadar in Central Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar launched party's election campaign for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) polls.
BJP cadres took out processions at various places to mark the occasion.
However, Shelar said he would not indulge in politicising the Maharashtra Day.
"Development should be the only answer to those who are trying to bifurcate the state. The BJP is in power over a unified Maharashtra and Devendra Fadnavis is the Chief Minister of a unified Maharashtra. Hence those who have been rejected by a unified Maharashtra are indulging in politics," he said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray criticised BJP and Shiv Sena for showing "apathy" towards paying homage to the martyrs at the memorial.
Thackeray, who offered floral tributes at the Smarak, slammed the state administration for not decorating the memorial for the event.
"Every year the 'Hutatma Smarak' is decorated with flowers. This year there is not even a single flower to be seen here, not even a garland. This is extremely shameful for the state government," Thackeray said.
He sarcastically said the previous Congress-NCP government was much better.
"During their (Congress-NCP) rule the Hutatma Chowk (Smarak) used to be at-least decorated, they never talked about separation of Maharashtra," Thackeray quipped.
"Today we are witnessing this picture, it is extremely shabby. The respect of the memorial has not been maintained while Sena-BJP is in power which is regrettable. The official function should have been held at 'Hutatma Smarak', but they may be feeling embarrassed at holding the function here," he said.
Meanwhile, the official programme of Maharashtra Day was
held at Shivaji Park, Dadar where state Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the agitation for the creation of unified Maharashtra.
Rao also inspected the guard of honour from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF).
The Governor spelled out the governments policies, the challenges of the future and steps it was taking to tackle the drought.
