Mumbai: NCP on Thursday distanced itself from the decision to shift the statue of Dadoji Konddev from Lal Mahal and said it was taken by the Pune Municipal Corporation, which is an autonomous body.
"The party has nothing to do with the decision. It was not an important issue. But, the Shiv Sena-BJP tried to give casteist colour to it by trying to incite violence and riots
in Pune," NCP spokesman Madan Bafna told reporters here.
"It is wrong to state that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was behind the move," Bafna said responding to questions that Pawar who wields considerable influence in Pune was
instrumental in the civic body`s resolution to shift the statue of Konddev, considered to be Shivaji Maharaj`s teacher.
He said action has been taken against all corporators who indulged in violence including 11 of the NCP.
"We work for development and not creating caste divide," he said replying to a question that the NCP supported activities of Sambhaji Brigade, an organisation which demanded
that the statue be removed.
PTI
