AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel on Wednesday slammed the Maharashtra cabinet’s decision to rename Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad to Dharshiv, calling it a “best example of cheap politics”. Referring to the political turmoil in Maharashtra and the governor’s order for a floor test, the Aurangabad Lok Sabha member said the Shiv Sena took this decision as the party had started losing power in the state.
“I want to tell Uddhav ji and Shiv Sena that history cannot be changed, names can be changed… You are setting a great example of shoddy politics,” he said. Only the people can decide which Aurangabad name will remain,” said Imtiaz Jalil, indicating that his party workers would take to the streets.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader said, “It is time to spit on Congress and NCP leaders. We respect the chief minister but he (from the government) would have gone to one.” In a better way. A few days back, the CM had said that the government would develop Aurangabad before renaming it. What development has happened?”
Jaleel also hit out at former Aurangabad MP Chandrakant Khaire, saying the Shiv Sarna leader should “become a professional dancer as there is no work left for him”.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leaders in Aurangabad welcomed the name change move and called upon the central government to clear the proposal without any delay. Local leaders of BJP and MNS also welcomed the renaming of Aurangabad city. BJP state general secretary Atul Save said, “We welcome the move to rename Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar. The CM should have taken this decision earlier on the eve of the floor test of the MVA government.”
(with inputs from agencies)