A fresh political controversy has surfaced in Maharashtra's capital Mumbai regarding the naming of the Vidyavihar bridge. The Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray and the Bharatiya Janata Party have locked horns over what to call the newly constructed infrastructure, turning the naming rights into a major flashpoint.
Thackeray Faction's Demand and Hoarding Controversy
The situation escalated when a hoarding bearing the name 'Padma Shri Nana Patekar Setu' appeared at the bridge site even before its formal inauguration. Capitalizing on this, the Uddhav Thackeray faction intensified its campaign, with party leaders meeting Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde to submit a formal proposal letter advocating for the bridge to be named after the veteran actor.
BJP MLA Proposes Captain Smit Machchhar's Name
Conversely, BJP MLA Parag Shah had earlier written a letter demanding that the Vidyavihar bridge be named after Captain Smit Machchhar. This counter-proposal by the ruling party has brought the sharp divergence in political opinions into public view, sparking intense debate across local circles.
Board Placement Prior to Inauguration
The placement of the name board ahead of the official opening ceremony has drawn widespread attention. Nevertheless, the definitive name of the bridge remains undecided as the final authority rests with the local administration. The competing demands from the two political camps have left the ultimate decision hanging in the balance.
Passing of Actor Nana Patekar
Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75 in Goa. He was rushed to a hospital following severe chest pain, where doctors pronounced him dead at around 5:20 AM. Hospital authorities stated that the cause of death was a cardiac arrest. Patekar remains remembered as one of the most prominent stalwarts of Hindi and Marathi cinema.
