Mumbai: BJP MLA Ram Kadam, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole demand Lata Mangeshkar’s memorial at Shivaji Park

A day after singing legend Lata Mangeshkar was cremated at the iconic Shivaji Park, Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam and state Congress president Nana Patole on Monday demanded a memorial for her at the site. However, the ruling Shiv Sena, an ally of the Congress in the state, said there should be no politics over the issue.

Kadam in a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said, “On behalf of crores of Mangeshkar’s admirers and music lovers, I humbly request you to build a memorial at the same place at the Shivaji Park where she was consigned to flames.” The Congress, part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state, too, joined in the demand.

“A memorial of international standard dedicated to Lata didi should be built and it should be located in the Shivaji Park,” Patole said. He added such a memorial will remind people from India and other parts of the world about Mangeshkar’s melodious and timeless voice.

The demand assumes significance as the sprawling park in Dadar is also the site where Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray was cremated in 2012. His memorial was built at the site despite opposition from civic groups.

However, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the Maharashtra government and the Centre will surely build a fitting memorial because she was not a political leader, but an invaluable treasure.

Published on: Monday, February 07, 2022, 08:04 PM IST