Shiv Sena raises 'Bombay' issue again for political gains

Mumbai, May 13 (UNI) Nearly 15 years after coming to power in Maharashtra, the first decision taken by Shiv Sena-BJP government was none other than to change the name of state capital from Bombay to Mumbai, as promised in its manifesto.

The issue is so alluring to the Sena, now in the opposition, it still thinks that it could again benefit the party politically.

A group of Shiv Sainiks today went to Bombay Stock Exchange and gave an ultimatum of changing its name to Mumbai within a fortnight.

The BSE official confirmed the news, saying the Saniks came and shouted slogans but clarified that it is not going to pay heed to their demands.

Police have detained five people in this connection.

On the other hand, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil told reporters here that he would support the change of name in-principle but no one should take law in one's hand, he warned.

The rage for change of name to 'Mumbai' from 'Bombay' started on Sunday with an eye on state assembly elections due next year and to portray itself as the saviour of Marathi 'Manoos' in the face of a possibility that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which launched a tirade against migrant north Indian workers in February espousing the same cause, may wear off sema's nfluence in the stronghold areas.

On Sunday, a group of the Sainiks went to Bombay Scottish School, where Uddhav Thackeray's son studies, and painted the word 'Mumbai' on its compound wall with tar. The activists yesterday did the repeat with the hoardings of Bombay Dyeing. They also burnt the copies of the newpaper supplement ''Bombay Times''.

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