In a display of loyalty towards the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, the newly-formed Congress government in Chhattisgarh has renamed several schemes named after late Jan Sangh leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya by the previous BJP government with names of former Congress leaders Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
The Chhattisgarh Congress government has renamed four out of five schemes introduced by the previous BJP regime with either Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi, while one scheme has been renamed in the honour of the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr. B.R.Ambedkar.
As per the order, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Swavlamban Yojna has been renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Swavlamban Yojna while Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Sarvasamaj Manglik Bhavan Yojna will now be known as Dr. B R Ambedkar Sarvasamaj Manglik Bhavan Yojna, an official said. The official added that order to rename the schemes was issued on Monday night by the state government.
Similarly, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya LED Path Prakash Yojna has been rechristened as Indira Priyadarshini LED Path Prakash Yojna, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Ajivika Kendra (livelihood center) Yojna is now Rajiv Gandhi Ajivika Kendra Yojna while Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Shuddh Peyjal (clean drinking water) Yojna has been named as Indira Priyadarshini Shudhh Peyjal Yojna, he added.
However, the opposition party, BJP has expressed its unhappiness over renaming of the schemes, stating that the step indicated “political vindictiveness”. The former chief minister and senior BJP leader Raman Singh said they would protest against the government’s move during the ongoing session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly.
“The state government deliberately rechristened schemes named after Pt Deendayal Upadhyayaji on his death anniversary, which was observed on Monday (February 11). This reflects Congress’ mentality,” Singh said in a statement.
He further asked whether the incumbent Congress government had done anything to make these schemes better. “Without making any new provisions, they have just renamed the schemes which clearly indicates that it’s a new episode of ‘Badlapur’ (vindictive politics),” he alleged.
It may be noted that during the long rule of Congress in the center in various states, thousands of schemes and institutions were named after members of the Gandhi family. This includes awards, national parks, educational institutions including an IIM, sports stadiums, apart from numerous government schemes. After Congress losing power in most of the states, few of them have been renamed, but most still remain.
