The Opposition has announced a state-wide protest over the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue incident. To begin with, the top leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi will participate in a symbolic ‘jode maro’ (hit the government with shoes) agitation in Mumbai on Sunday, September 1. The protest will spread out to the rest of the state from September 2.

NCP President Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray and state Congress President Nana Patole announced the agitation at a joint press conference here at Thackeray’s residence, Matoshree, on Wednesday. Thackeray said the MVA’s rank and file would pay their respects at Hutatma Smarak and then walk to Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at the Gateway of India. They will sit there and pay respect and condemn the government.