Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has urged the state government to rename Alibaug as 'Maynaknagri' in memory of Maynak Bhandari, who played a crucial role in the naval prowess of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The coastal town of Alibaug near Mumbai is a tourist attraction and a municipal council in the state's Raigad district.
Mr Narwekar made the demand after a delegation of the All India Bhandari Federation recently met him with a request for the name change.
Mr Narwekar on Thursday wrote to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, stressing that during the reign of Maratha warrior king Shivaji, coastal security and coastal war campaigns were crucial to prevent foreign invasions.
"Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of a strong naval force, which Maynak Bhandari led from Konkan. The British had to retreat from the fort at Khanderi-Underi harbour in Alibaug after a bitter struggle and due to the bravery of Maynak Bhandari," he wrote.
Mr Narwekar also said that a statue of Mayank Bhandari should be erected in Alibaug.
The speaker said a delegation of the All India Bhandari Federation led by Navinchandra Bandivdekar met him with the demands. "The demands are justified and I urge the government to look into them," Mr Narwekar said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Former BJP Leader Rajkumar Badole Joins Ajit Pawar Led NCP Pay Rs 6 Lakh For '0001': Maharashtra Hikes VIP Number Fees Maharashtra Schools Ordered To Install CCTVs Within A Month After Badlapur Violence Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Praises Israel For Pager Attack Brazil Police Call Ex-President Bolsonaro's Indictment Over 2022 "Coup" Plot World Leaders Split As ICC Issues Arrest Warrant For Netanyahu Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.