Need to find out what is going on Dada Ajit Pawar's mind: CM Thackeray on Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti

On the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday, February 19, visited Shivneri Fort in Junnar tehsil of Pune district and paid floral tributes to the Maratha warrior and his mother Jijabai. CM attended several programmes including the cradle ceremony at the fort.

Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also accompanied him.

Later, CM Uddhav Thackeray addressed to the Sena leaders present in the ceremony. He said that swords and shields were used in the battles fought during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's times but in the fight against the coronavirus, face mask is the only shield.

Thackeray also stated that entire Maharashtra reveres Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a deity. Numerous kings came and disappeared. Numerous battles were fought, several kingdoms came and vanished, but there is something special about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said.

Shivaji Maharaj fought several battles and established his swaraj. There is no need to tell how he fought the opponents. No such battles are being fought now, and there are no swords and shields. But right now we are fighting a battle against the coronavirus and face mask is the only shield in the fight, he said.

"We will strike whenever it is required, but while defending, we have to use a shield. In this battle, mask is our shield do not forget that," Thackeray added.

In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the district administration had urged people not to gather at Shivneri fort to celebrate the Maratha warrior king's birth anniversary.

Thackeray also said that he considers himself fortunate and blessed as he got the opportunity to come to Shivneri for the second consecutive year to pay homage.  He added that the radiance of history linked to all the forts in the state needs to be spread across the globe.

The chief minister said that during the programme, someone told him that Shivaji Maharaj possessed a certain skill to know what is going on in one's mind. "Even Dada (Ajit Pawar) has that skill. I am going to learn it from him to find out what is going on in his mind," he said in a lighter vein. 

Shivaji Maharaj was born on Shivneri fort in 1630.