There is a strong public demand to name the Navi Mumbai Airport after D. B. Patil, and the state government must respect these sentiments. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti government and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are perceived to be avoiding naming the airport after D. B. Patil. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Harshvardhan Sapkal stated that no other name will be accepted, and "we are prepared to protest if necessary."
MPCC president Harshvardhan Sapkal said that local people gave up their land for the development of Navi Mumbai, and at that time, D. B. Patil fought a long battle for the rights of the sons of the soil. "The 12.5 per cent scheme was possible because of Patil’s movement. He had a long political career as an MLA and MP. The contributions of local landowners during the development of Navi Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the NAINA project, and the Navi Mumbai Airport cannot be ignored. Despite assurances from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, there are concerns about potential changes." Sapkal said, "Even Lord Brahma cannot understand Fadnavis's tactics."
The Navi Mumbai airport is currently referred to as NM Airport, and the letters "NM" are being engraved on the airport's boundary walls. This has led to speculation that "NM" might stand for "Narendra Modi Airport." Following the renaming of the Ahmedabad cricket stadium from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to Narendra Modi, concerns have been raised that the Bharatiya Janata Party or Devendra Fadnavis might employ similar tactics. Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised this issue in the Lok Sabha, and the demand will also be strongly pursued in the Rajya Sabha, Sapkal said.
Sapkal questioned the delay in arresting former minister Manikrao Kokate, noting that "It has been three days since Kokate was sentenced to two years, yet his Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) membership has not been cancelled, and he has not been arrested." He alleged delaying tactics, citing treatment at Lilavati Hospital and police protection for a convicted person. Sapkal claimed that immediate action should have been taken, but action is disproportionately taken against opposition leaders.
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Sapkal stated that an MD drugs factory has been exposed in Savari village in Satara district, and the land is allegedly in the name of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s brother. He added that the Congress party was the first to expose this matter and demand strict action.
Sapkal implied that drug trafficking was being used to generate funds, and criticized the government for lacking concern for the people or a conscience. Despite these allegations, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denies any connection between Eknath Shinde and the MD drugs factory. Sapkal concluded, stating that "This matter is extremely serious and Eknath Shinde’s resignation must be taken."