The political atmosphere in the state is currently heated due to statements regarding Tipu Sultan. Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal has sparked a new controversy by directly comparing Tipu Sultan to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Sapkal stated that just as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave the idea of valor and self-rule, Tipu Sultan also worked in a similar manner. The BJP has taken a strong objection to his statement and adopted an aggressive stance.
Against this backdrop, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) MP Sanjay Raut strongly criticized the BJP in a press conference. Raut advised to check the record of what stance they took in history before the current stance BJP is taking regarding Tipu Sultan. Raut said, “BJP does not consider the people's issues important. Have they ever protested on the problems of workers, students, employees? But the work of sparking Hindu-Muslim disputes in society is ongoing.” He alleged that the atmosphere is being deliberately heated on such topics.
A photo of Tipu Sultan was put up in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. After objections from local citizens, the photo was removed. This issue could have ended there; however, the BJP launched a statewide protest, criticized Raut. “There is no need for the BJP to tell us that Maharashtra belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.
Raut clarified that historical records cannot be changed, saying, “Some things are recorded in history and no one can change them.” He accused the BJP of having a double standard, stating that on some occasions in the past, BJP leaders had praised Tipu Sultan. Raut also mentioned former President Ramnath Kovind's statement. During his visit to Karnataka, he spoke positively about Tipu Sultan, questioning why the BJP did not oppose it then. He also noted that projects were initiated in the name of Tipu Sultan when the BJP was in power in some municipalities.
“There are no elections for the next two-three years. So why unnecessarily escalate disputes?” Raut questioned, urging not to tarnish Maharashtra's image. He said it is the responsibility of all parties to maintain social harmony and unity in the state. Meanwhile, this issue has intensified the political conflict between the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the Mahayuti. Reactions from various political and social organizations are emerging across the state, and it is being speculated that this dispute may escalate further in the coming period.