MNS chief jumps into row over name for Navi Mumbai airport

Extension should be named after Shivaji, says Raj Thackeray

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNA) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday said the under-construction Navi Mumbai international airport, which is an extension of the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, should have the same name. “After completion of the new project, the Navi Mumbai airport will act as an extension of already existing Mumbai International Airport. Where does the issue of changing name come up? It will remain as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Navi Mumbai International airport,” said Mr Raj Thackeray, adding to the on-going row over the issue. The row over naming the new airport began last month after a group of locals, backed by the opposition BJP, launched an agitation demanding that it be named after late D.B. Patil, veteran leader of project affected people from the Navi Mumbai area. Patil is also considered one of the tallest leaders of local Agri and Koli (OBC) communities, who command considerable political clout.