Pune: Rahul Narwekar Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly urged the state government led by CM Eknath Shinde to rename Alibaug as ‘Maynaknagri’ in the memory of Admiral Maynak Bhandari, who played a crucial role in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's naval force. Narwekar wrote to chief minister Eknath Shinde, stressing that during the reign of Maratha warrior king Shivaji, Maynak Bhandari played a crucial role in safeguarding coastal areas from 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.  

Narwekar put forth the demand after a recent meeting with a delegation from the All India Bhandari Federation, who approached him with a request for the name change. “The demands are justified and I urge the government to look into them,” Narwekar said.