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Secular parties like Congress feel Aurangabad shouldn't be Sambhajinagar, says Shiv Sena

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 1/18/2021 11:20:40 AM

Mumbai, Jan 17 Advocating Shiv Sena's demand to rename Aurangabad, party leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday took a dig at Congress and said, "Secular parties like the Congress are of the view that Aurangabad should not be Sambhajinagar. The renaming of Aurangabad will upset the Muslim community that is, the minority, and affect the vote bank. This means their secularism may be questioned". In an editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Raut further also took at a dig at AIMIM chief Owaisi, "Indian constitution is secular and hence how can Babar, Aurangzeb, Shaista Khan, Owaisi etc can be called secular? Aurangzeb had a terrible aversion to other religions. He persecuted Sikhs and Hindus. Why should we save their relics?" Aurangabad's Member of Parliament is from Owaisi's party AIMIM. The party is likely to play a pivotal role in upcoming local body elections in Aurangabad. Hence it’s likely that Raut took a dig at Owaisi in his column in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna. There is a deadlock between Sena and Congress on renaming of Aurangabad. Congress has asked whether renaming Aurangabad will develop people's lives. Referring to this, Raut said, "People are asking whether the renaming of Aurangabad will solve the problems of the people and aid development? Such issues are being raised by those opposed to the name change. Whatever it is, there is a large section of people.