Explained: Why has the Maharashtra government renamed Aurangabad city as Sambhajinagar? | Explained News,The Indian Express
The Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government, in a last decision, cleared a proposal to rename Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv. Why have these cities been renamed?
In what could turn out to be its last major decision, the Uddhav Thackeray Cabinet on Wednesday (June 29) evening approved the renaming of Aurangabad city as Sambhajinagar, and Osmanabad city — which is named after the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan — as Dharashiv.
Why have these cities been renamed?
The renaming is an effort by the Shiv Sena to burnish its Hindutva credentials ahead of the likely collapse of the 31-month-old Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government following the floor test scheduled for June 29.
The opposition BJP has repeatedly mocked the Sena for not sticking to its promise to rename Aurangabad in particular, under pressure from its secular allies NCP and Congress.
The Sena rebels led by Eknath Shinde have over the past week openly questioned the Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena’s commitment to Hindutva, and alleged that the party of Balasaheb Thackeray is gradually surrendering its core ideology at the behest of the NCP and Congress.
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