Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar

Mumbai: Amid political crisis in the state, the Maharashtra Cabinet  on Wednesday approved the proposal to rename Aurangabad city as Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv. The decision on the emotive issue is taken at a time when the ruling MVA coalition is facing a rebellion by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.

The state cabinet meeting chaired by the beleaguered Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also approved the naming of the upcoming Navi Mumbai international airport after farmer leader late D B Patil.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray leaves from Mantralaya in Mumbai, after the state cabinet meeting concludes. pic.twitter.com/la9y25r4HE

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2022

 
After Shiv Sena walked out of the NDA alliance and formed a coalition MVA government in the state with NCP and Congress, the BJP had often reminded the Sena of its own old demand to rename Aurangabad, which derived its name from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab of the Shiv Sena also said he demanded that Aurangabad city in central Maharashtra be renamed as Sambhaji Nagar in honour of the Maratha king.

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Earlier on June 8, Uddhav Thackeray while addressing a rally in Aurangabad said, “Hindutva is in our every breath... Telling lies is not our Hindutva, this is not what Balasaheb Thackeray taught us...Balasaheb Thackeray had announced that Aurangabad would be renamed Sambhaji Nagar and I will fulfill this promise.”