Aurangabad renaming subject surfaces once more: MVA denies rift, BJP & Sena assault one another

EVEN as the problem of renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar has triggered a political controversy once more, the constituents of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi have sought to know from the BJP-led central authorities why it has did not approve the renaming of Aurangabad district, and the renaming of Chikalthana airport after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
“The Congress has objected to the renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar… this is an old stand of the Congress. The Shiv Sena had renamed Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar 30 years ago but the Centre has not yet approved its renaming,” mentioned Sena chief spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut.
Raut mentioned the BJP-led central authorities has accredited the renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj, Faizabad as Ayodhya, and Delhi’s Aurangzeb Road to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road. “If these cities and roads can be renamed, then why didn’t the BJP government approve the renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar,” requested Raut.
The renaming subject surfaced once more on Friday after state Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat mentioned the problem was not earlier than the MVA authorities and if it involves the fore, the Congress will oppose it. “The renaming issue is not part of the Common Minimum Programme of the MVA government,” Thorat had mentioned.
Congress spokesperson Gopal Tiwarie mentioned,”The occasion state chief has already articulated the occasion’s stand about it… Attempts are being made to trigger fissures within the MVA authorities. However, the BJP must clarify why it has did not rename Chikalthana airport after Sambhaji Maharaj? A decision was unanimously handed by the MVA authorities about 8-9 months in the past, to rename the airport as Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj airport, and despatched to the central authorities. The Chikalthana airport is in Aurangabad district. However, the central authorities remains to be sitting on the proposal. The BJP has no proper to level fingers on the MVA authorities.”
Raut mentioned, “Whatever Thorat has said is true. MVA government is being run as per the Common Minimum Programme. The government is committed to ensuring food, clothing and shelter for the poor, and the welfare of labourers.”
He added, “Muslims in Maharashtra have forgotten Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb and Aurangabad are no longer election issues. The Muslim community does not want unnecessary controversy. They want development and welfare and the MVA is trying to ensure that. This has not gone down well with the BJP, which is feeling nervous and indulging in petty politics.”
NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil mentioned,”… Sena has been demanding renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad for years. They had renamed Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar nevertheless it wanted central approval.”
Stating that Sena’s demand is not going to have an effect on the MVA authorities, Patil mentioned by renaming Aurangabad, the event standing of the district is not going to change. “If it is renamed, Aurangabad will suddenly not become a developed city. As of now, renaming it is not our priority and it is not a part of the Common Minimum Programme of the three parties. The NCP is committed to going by the CMP, and renaming it is not part of the CMP,” he mentioned.
BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhaye mentioned although the BJP and Shiv Sena are on the identical web page in the case of renaming Aurangabad after Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, the “Sena revives the demand only when elections are round the corner”.
“Our demand is consistent and we are serious about it. However, for the Shiv Sena, the renaming is about making it an election issue to garner votes.. the Aurangabad civic elections are scheduled to be held soon… The Sena is not serious about renaming of Aurangabad,” claimed Upadhaye.
State BJP chief Chandrakant Patil mentioned, “Now that the Congress is opposing the renaming of Aurangabad, the Shiv Sena should clarify its position.”
State AIMIM chief and MP Imtiaz Jaleel mentioned, “The AIMIM is not opposed to renaming Aurangabad, but does renaming solve the problems of the district? It is being projected as if we are opposed to the names of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Sambhaji Maharaj, we are not. But let them first ensure the development of Aurangabad and then talk about renaming. Renaming is a part of deeper political game of parties. They want to make it big issue to divert people’s attention from their failures. Whenever elections approach, the renaming issue is brought to the fore. It is more of an election issue….”

Jaleel mentioned Aurangabad has a historical past, a heritage and a legacy which can’t be worn out. “Naming a city or district or railway station after a personality who has no connection with it does not sound good. Aurangabad has a long history which should not be wiped out,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, the MNS has additionally demanded the renaming of Aurangabad. MNS employees in Nashik eliminated boards from Nashik-Aurangabad state transport buses and changed them with boards mentioning Sambhajinagar.