Mumbai, May 5 (Midday): A controversy erupted over a viral picture of a BJP corporator posing with a bust of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, while resting her hand on its shoulder.

With the incident evoking sharp reactions from political parties, Rajeshri Shirwadkar, a corporator with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, expressed “deep regret”. “One of my pictures has gone viral on social media. It was taken on the occasion of Maharashtra Day. I realised my mistake and express my deep regret, as I have immense respect for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” Shirwadkar said in a statement.

Meanwhile, a Congress committee from Sion-Koliwada area organised a peace march in protest against the BJP leader near King Circle and demanded police action against the “erring corporator”.

“I am very hurt and angry to brief you that Rajeshri Shirwadkar has shown utter disrespect to Maharashtra’s ‘aradhya daivat’ Shivaji Maharaj. We demand that she should be booked and a criminal case be initiated against her,” said Amit Shetty, a local Congress leader.

The said picture was taken during an event organised for children suffering from cancer, on May 1.