Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday said that the people’s strong sentiment to name the Navi Mumbai International Airport after land rights leader DB Patil must be respected, warning that no other name would be accepted under any circumstances.
Addressing the media at Tilak Bhavan in Mumbai, Sapkal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti Government and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of deliberately delaying the decision to name the airport after DB Patil.
“If needed, we will take to the streets and intensify our agitation. We will not tolerate any other name,” he said, adding that the Congress would actively participate in the protest scheduled for December 22.
Sapkal said local residents had sacrificed their land for the development of Navi Mumbai and that Patil had led a prolonged struggle to protect the rights of the ‘sons of the soil’.
“The 12.5 per cent land allotment scheme became possible only because of DB Patil’s movement. He had a long political career as an MLA and MP, and his contribution cannot be ignored when projects such as JNPT, NAINA and the Navi Mumbai airport were developed,” he said.
He alleged that despite assurances given earlier, the Chief Minister was avoiding a clear decision on the issue. “There is growing suspicion over the airport being referred to as ‘NM Airport’ and the letters ‘NM’ being engraved on the boundary walls. People fear this could be a ploy to rename it after Narendra Modi, similar to how the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad was renamed,” Sapkal said, warning the BJP against what he called political manoeuvring.
Sapkal said Congress MPs had already raised the issue in the Lok Sabha and that the party would continue to press the demand in the Rajya Sabha as well.
State Congress questions delay in Manikrao Kokate`s arrest
Sapkal also questioned the delay in action against MLA Manikrao Kokate, who was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment three days ago. “His membership has not been cancelled and he has not been arrested yet. Under the guise of medical treatment at Lilavati Hospital, time is being wasted and police protection has been provided. Immediate action should have been taken,” he said, alleging selective action against Opposition leaders.
Demand for Eknath Shinde’s resignation
Raising the Satara MD drugs factory case, Sapkal demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that the land where the illegal drug manufacturing unit was found was in the name of Shinde’s brother.
“The Congress first exposed this racket and demanded strict action. Despite the seriousness of the matter, the chief minister claims Shinde has no connection with the case. This is unacceptable,” Sapkal said, calling the issue extremely serious.
Senior Congress leaders RC Gharat, Raigad District Congress President Mahendra Gharat, Panvel City District Congress President Sudam Patil and Rajabhau Thakur, Fishermen Congress President Martand Nakhwa, and several party office-bearers from Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad were present at the press conference.
