MAPUSA
The Shivswarajya Calangute on Tuesday showed inclination to shift the Shivaji statue from the present site, provided the Calangute panchayat issues permission to install it at any of the four traffic circles in Calangute.
The Shiv Premis also alleged that Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira was spreading lies to cover up his embarrassment over the installation of Shivaji statue.
“There are four prominent circles in Calangute. If the sarpanch is ready to give permission to install the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in any one of the four circles, then we are ready to hold a discussion on the issue,” said Sudesh Mayekar, a member of Shivswarajya Calangute.
The Shiv Premis, who are members of Shivswarajya Calangute, were addressing the media over the recent row over the installation of Shivaji statue in Calangute.
Continuing, Mayekar said the Calangute sarpanch was playing with words further maintaining that there was no difference between “removal” and “demolition”.
“The sarpanch has a big ego. He has to get down from the high horse and accept the wishes of the people. If not, it won’t be long before he loses the seat of power,” he warned.
Mayekar also clarified that the earlier bust of Shivaji has not been vandalised but it has been preserved at a safe place.
Dnyaneshwar Matkar, another member of Shivswarajya Calangute, informed that the group had made several representations to the Calangute panchayat requesting permission to install the statue but received no response from the local body.
“The sarpanch never took us into confidence. In fact, he belittled us when we went to him with our request. He has never called us for discussion and now he is trying to blame us for the mess he has created,” Matkar said and alleged that the sarpanch was spreading lies through his statements in the media.
He said the sarpanch showed no interest in installing the statue while Shivswarajya Calangute has taken all the people of Calangute into confidence while installing the statue.
Matkar also maintained that the statue was never erected in a hurry as claimed by the sarpanch.
