Pravin Darekar seeks clarity on renaming Aurangabad

PUNE: Leader of opposition in the state legislative council Pravin Darekar on Sunday said that the Shiv Sena should explain its stand on changing the name of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar. Darekar was speaking at a press conference held in the city.
“The Shiv Sena is showing double standards as far as changing the name of the city is concern. Is it under pressure from their alliance partners, like Congress? Sena leaders should come forward and tell people whether party principles are more important or being in government,” Darekar said.
He added that Sena leader Sanjay Raut is speaking in a tone comparable to the stand of Aurangabad Sena leader and former MP Chandrakant Khaire. Some other senior party leaders have remained quiet as far as taking a stand on this issue is concerned, he stated.
Darekar said BJP will decide on whether it will make the change of name an election issue before Aurangabad Municipal Corporation polls at their committee meeting.
While reacting to changing the name of Pune as well, Darekar said that it was not needed.
“Changing the names of the cities is a matter of our spirit and pride. Changing the name of other cities will not serve any purpose,” he said.
On Shiv Sena’s stand to carry out agitations against the Enforcement Director (ED), Darekar said that such protests will be against the democratic spirit. “If such agitations are conducted against governing agencies, it will lead to a mockery of the system. Issues such as reservation for the Maratha community should be taken up on priority. Agitations should be carried out on such pressing issues related to development,” he said.