Mumbai, Maharashtra: A statement made by C.R. Patil, a senior BJP leader and Union Minister from Gujarat, claiming that the 17th-century Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the Patidar community, has ignited a political firestorm in Maharashtra. The remark, made at a public event in Surat while praising the Patidar community, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties in Maharashtra, particularly with upcoming elections to all 29 municipal corporations in the state.

Patil, currently serving as the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, lauded the Patidar community and stated, "I am happy to say that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was also a Patidar". This declaration has sparked immediate and strong reactions, especially considering Shivaji Maharaj's revered status as a Maratha ruler from the Bhonsle clan in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has vehemently criticized Patil's statement, calling it "a massive insult to Maharashtra and the Marathi people". Raut accused the BJP of attempting to appropriate the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and take him to Gujarat, further reminding that it was Shivaji Maharaj who had plundered Surat. He said that the BJP has been trying to misappropriate great leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel and Rabindranath Tagore, and now their eyes are on Shivaji Maharaj. He also challenged BJP leaders to first complete the Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the Arabian Sea instead of talking about the king's caste. Raut alleged that this was an effort to make Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a Gujarati and warned against avenging the plunder of Surat by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in this manner.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also refuted Patil's claim, asserting that Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the Bhonsle dynasty and that everyone knows about Shivaji Maharaj and his genealogy.

Despite the backlash, Patil has remained defiant, stating that there is no need to politicize the issue. He highlighted his efforts to spread the work of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, including installing statues and organizing shows about his life in Gujarat. He questioned the reactions of leaders in Maharashtra and reiterated his dedication to propagating the king's work, mentioning the installation of statues and organization of over 100 shows of "Jaanata Raja," a play based on Shivaji Maharaj's life, in Gujarat.

C.R. Patil, originally from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, but based in Surat, Gujarat, is a prominent figure in Gujarat's BJP. He is known to be a close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Prior to his political career, Patil served in the police force for approximately 14 years.

The controversy has erupted in the lead-up to the Mumbai civic polls, where the Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of attempting to merge Mumbai with Gujarat and appropriate the city's wealth. The statement has further fueled the ongoing political tensions between the ruling and opposition parties in Maharashtra.