Mumbai: Amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra, the state Cabinet has approved the proposal to rename Aurangabad city as Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad asc.
The decision comes amid threat to the MVA government following a rebellion by Eknath Shinde-led group.
The cabinet meeting chaired by the beleaguered Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also approved the naming of the upcoming Navi Mumbai international airport after farmer leader late D B Patil.
Maharashtra transport Minister Anil Parab of the Shiv Sena said he demanded that Aurangabad city in central Maharashtra be renamed as Sambhaji Nagar.
The proposal regarding the same was brought in today’s meeting. The Maharashtra Cabinet passed the proposal to rename Aurangabad city as Sambhaji Nagar in honour of the Maratha king.
Interestingly, state planning agency CIDCO had earlier proposed to name the Navi Mumbai airport after late Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena.
After the Shiv Sena broke off its alliance with the BJP and joined hands with the Congress and NCP to form MVA government, the BJP had often reminded the Sena of its own old demand to rename Aurangabad, which derived its name from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.