Rename Alibag as 'Maynaknagri': Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar

Leader of Bharatiya Janata Party and Speaker of Legislative Assembly Adv. Rahul Narvekar has requested Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to change the name of Alibaug. The demand made by Narwekar is being opposed by many. Therefore, there is a possibility that new disputes will arise once again.

A letter was given to Chief Minister Shinde demanding that the name of Alibaug be changed. In this letter it was said that the name of Alibaug should be changed to Maynak Nagri. "After Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Osmanabad Alibag should now be renamed to Maynak Nagri," the letter said.

Also arguing why the name should be changed, Narwekar said, "A fort on the Khanderi-Underi port at Alibaug and a fierce struggle by Maynak Bhandari there forced the British to retreat. Maynak Bhandari had defended Swaraj. Therefore, after Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Osmanabad, the name of Alibaug should be changed to Maynak Nagri". Narvekar also demanded in the letter that a grand memorial of Maynak Bhandari should be erected in Alibaug.

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Meanwhile, Sarkhel Kanhojiraje Angre's descendant Raghujiraje Angre has objected to Narwekar's role. Raghujiraje Angre protested the demand of the Narwekars. He also said that there is no need to change the name of Alibaug. Also, if the name of the city is to be changed, Raghujiraje Angre demanded that the name of Sarkhel Kanhojiraje Angre should be considered first.

Almost all the local leaders in Alibaug have strongly opposed this demand of the Narwekar. The former mayor of the city, Prashant Naik, also opposed the demand of the Narwekar. "The demand to change the name of Alibaug is wrong and it must be opposed. Basically, the Alibaugkars have not demanded a name change. In such a case, there is no need for the Narwekars to demand the name change," said Naik while presenting his position.