THANE: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis called BJP’s Murbad Assembly MLA Kishan Kathore no less than a minister and said that Kathore would become a minister at the right time.
Fadnavis was speaking at the inauguration of a 55-foot equestrian statue of Shivaji Maharaj on the bank of the Ulhas River in Badlapur in Thane district on the eve of the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The place where the statue is being erected in Badlapur is sanctified by the feet of Shivaji Maharaj, as it was where he used to change his horse. Keeping in mind the history of this place, a grand statue of the warrior has been made here on the initiative of local BJP MLA Kishan Kathore.
At the programme, Fadnavis also said that the chief minister is actually standing behind Kathore. Kathore, from the Murbad Assembly constituency, was elected for the fifth time in this year’s assembly elections. Therefore, it was expected that Kathore would be made a minister this year. However, Eknath Shinde, as well as Pratap Sarnaik and Ganesh Naik, were given ministerial posts in the district. This caused dissatisfaction among Kathore’s supporters. Kathore also tried for the ministerial post, and it was believed he would get it based on seniority. However, he did not receive the ministerial post this year.
Shivaji Maharaj was not just a great warrior but also an exceptional administrator: CM
At the rally, Fadnavis said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just a great warrior but also an exceptional administrator who brought reforms in governance and implemented policies in water management and taxation, among other areas. He also said that his government was committed to following the principles of Shivaji Maharaj and working for the welfare of the people.
In his address, the CM thanked the people of the state for giving him and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar another chance to lead the state towards progress. Referring to his felicitation by several women supporters on the occasion, he said, “Anyone who has the support of mothers, sisters, and women cannot be harmed. The results of the last assembly election are proof of this.” He stated that people owe the freedom they enjoy today to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
“During the times when several rulers succumbed to the dominance of the Mughals, it was Shivaji Maharaj who, guided by the teachings of his mother Jijabai, took an oath to establish ‘swarajya’ (self-rule) and fight for ‘dev, desh, and dharma’ (god, country, and religion),” he said.
