09 December,2025 05:03 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
CM Devendra Fadnavis addresses the legislative assembly, on Tuesday. PIC/X
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday informed the state assembly that the Union Government has given its nod for installing a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj within the premises of Mumbai's iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Replying to a query in the House, Fadnavis said the statue has been included in the large-scale redevelopment plan of the heritage railway station, news agency PTI reported.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) legislator Bhaskar Jadhav raised the issue, pointing out that although CSMT was renamed after the Maratha warrior king, a suitable statue had still not been constructed. He added that the site carried deep historical and cultural significance and deserved a monument worthy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy.
Responding to this, Fadnavis said, "The Union government has already taken the decision. A fresh proposal from the state was not required. The statue has been incorporated in the master plan of the revamped CSMT."
He clarified that a recent reply from the Union Minister of State for Railways pertained to an earlier proposal connected to the station's older layout and not the current redevelopment blueprint, PTI reported.
The development comes ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Elections, where both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi are expected to foreground Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy as a key electoral plank.
Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament (MP) Arvind Sawant had written to the Centre seeking installation of the statue. Sawant said he had received a reply from the Railways stating that the earlier proposal did not fall under its jurisdiction.
Fadnavis chides MLAs for citing Ladki Bahin scheme during unrelated debates
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday admonished legislators - including a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member - for repeatedly invoking the state government's flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahini scheme while raising unrelated matters during Question Hour in the assembly.
Visibly displeased by the frequent references, Fadnavis told the House that members must avoid using the scheme as a casual political point and warned that continued misuse could have serious consequences, PTI reported.
"If this continues, you will have to sit at home," he said sharply, prompting a brief lull in the proceedings.
The exchange took an unusual turn when BJP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Abhimanyu Pawar - formerly Fadnavis's personal assistant - raised the issue of alleged illegal liquor distribution and made a passing mention of the scheme. The CM immediately cut him short and reiterated his caution, reported PTI.
"I have already asked members not to randomly mention the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahini Yojana while raising unrelated concerns," he said firmly, making it clear that the warning applied equally to ruling and opposition members.
Earlier, Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad had invoked the scheme during discussion on a separate matter, triggering the first visible sign of the CM's displeasure.
(With PTI inputs)
