Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv have replaced Aurangabad and Osmanabad, respectively. The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the proposal on Friday, saying the central government had “no objection” to the renaming of the two Maharashtra cities.
The state government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, “delivered,” according to Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister.
Taking to Twitter, he attached the letter of approval from the home ministry and wrote, “‘Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’ of Aurangabad, ‘Dharashiv’ of Osmanabad! The central government approves the decision of the state government! Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and Union Minister Hon. Many thanks to Amitbhai Shah! The government under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ji has “delivered’…!”
The demand for changing the name of Aurangabad and Osmanabad was first made by the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. This demand was brought up by the Shiv Sena founder for several decades. However, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray took a decision to change these names in his last Cabinet meeting as the chief minister before his government collapsed in 2022.
The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the name change for Aurangabad and Osmanabad in 2022, but the Centre has yet to approve it.