Mumbai: Verbal duels between ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners Shiv Sena and Congress have erupted over renaming Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar.
Reportedly, MVA alliance partner Congress and NCP opposing the move, saying that instead of emotional issues, the elections should discuss matters concerned with people’s livelihood and development.
However, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved when all the MVA allies sit together and talk.
Speaking to reporters Raut said," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has also clarified that the objective of Shiv Sena is to rename Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar and it is our agenda. Thirty years ago, Balasaheb Thackeray gave the name Sambhaji Nagar."
"Only paperwork is left now. When all the MVA allies sit together and talk, the issue would get resolved. The renaming of Aurangabad was not a political issue," he said.
On the other hand, state Congress president and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat said how by renaming the cities will change the lives of ordinary people?
"On the contrary, it will create social animosity which will not be beneficial, it is not our goal. We will discuss this in the MVA,’" he said.
Meanwhile, NCP leader and chief spokesperson Nawab Malik took a very restrained stance and said the issue of renaming will not be discussed as it is not part of the Mahavikas Aghadi's program. It can be a separate agenda of the party.
Though there is talk of differences in the Mahavikas Alliance over making Aurangabad Sambhajinagar, each party seems to be trying to uphold its values on this issue.
Congress-NCP raised the issue of secularism. On the other hand, Shiv Sena has also tried to keep the issue of Hindutva alive by making it clear that Aurangzeb was not secular and that renaming Aurangabad was their agenda.
Most of the municipal elections in the state are in the coming months. It includes important Municipal Corporations like Aurangabad and Nashik. Shiv Sena is trying to keep these Municipal Corporations under its control.
Even though the Congress has formed a government with the NCP, the Shiv Sena wants to show that it has not strayed from the original Hindutva. Amidst all of this, BJP and MNS have been calling themselves the real guardians of Hindutva.
There is also propaganda that Shiv Sena has given up Hindutva. Against this backdrop, Shiv Sena has taken a firm stand not only in Aurangabad but also in Sambhajinagar.
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