Express News Service
MUMBAI: A tug of war on individual aspirations and alliance needs seems to be straining the already strained relationship between Congress and Shiv Sena at the Maha Vikas Aghadi. This time, the fight stems from Shiv Sena’s attempt to change the name of Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar, a move that Congress opposes, saying it was on the common minimum agenda.
In the run-up to the polls, Shiv Sena had promised to change the name of Aurangabad. With the municipal corporation elections scheduled shortly, Shiv Sena is reflecting on ways to act on his word. However, the Speaker of Congress and Minister of Finance in Thackeray’s cabinet, Balasahab Thorat, said that Shiv Sena cannot make the decision unilaterally. “Before drafting the common minimum agenda, we had extensive meetings. The agenda bears the signs of the top leaders of the three parties. It was decided that any new topics would be added after the signatories were satisfied. Renaming Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar is an issue that Congress will oppose, ”he added.
BJP has been meddling in the matter by shooting Shiv Sena. BJP Maharashtra President Chandrakant Patil said Shiv Sena has surrendered to Congress. Congress responded to Patil by saying that renaming a city did not solve its civic problems.
Savarkar Row
The war of words broke out when Congress rejected Shiv Sena’s demand from Bharat Ratna to Savarkar
Saamana Piece
Congress rebuked Shiv Sena for meddling in UPA affairs when Sena leader Sanjay Raut wrote an article criticizing Rahul Gandhi’s shortcomings. Raut had demanded that the head of NCP, Sharad Pawar, be appointed president of UPA
Shortage of funds
A congressional leader had raised allegations that the Thackeray government was allocating less funds to them for construction.
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