MUMBAI: A new rift is at stake in one year old ruler Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Shiv Sena’s demand to change the name of Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar.
Maharashtra Congress President and Finance Minister Balasaheb Thorat has opposed Sena’s demand. Sena has long been demanding that the name be changed from Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar. On January 4 last year, the state administration reportedly submitted a proposal to the MVA government for the name change.
Thorat, who was recently in Aurangabad to campaign for the gram panchayat elections, strongly opposed the proposal, saying that the MVA government will adhere to the Common Minimum Program (CMP) and that it will be inappropriate to go beyond the CMP. “There is no proposal before the MVA to change the name of Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar. Congress will strongly oppose such a move. We will not move beyond the CMP,” Thorat said.
Thorat noted that changing the name of the city would not result in the development of the city.
“The MVA has been formed by political parties that oppose the theories and ideology of parties like the BJP. We are a three-party government and we make decisions by consensus. There may be differences on certain key issues, but we will adhere to the common minimum program. We are determined to guarantee the progress and well-being of all sectors of society, ”he said.
Thorat said that since the MVA took over the reins of the state more than a year ago, the BJP appears to be on the defensive, particularly after the debacle in the legislative council elections of the teacher and graduate constituencies.
.
