Chhattisgarh Government Renames Deendayal Upadhyaya Schemes After Gandhis, BJP Cries ‘Political Vengeance’

The Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh re-named five schemes which were named after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, after former Congress Prime Ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi and chief architect of the constitution Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. This move led to heavy criticism from the opposition, BJP, which called it a ‘continuation of political vengeance’ and an ‘attempt to sabotage an ideology’.

A government order which was issued on 11 February (Monday), late at night, ordered Pandit Deendayal Swalamban Yojana to be re-named Rajiv Gandhi Swalamban Yojana while Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Sarvasamaj Manglik Bhavan Yojana will now be renamed as Dr BR Ambedkar Sarvasamaj Manglik Bhavan Yojna.

Furthermore, on similar lines, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Ajivika Kendra (Livelihood centre) Yojana is now Rajiv Gandhi Ajivika Kendra Yojna, while Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya LED Path Prakash Yojana has been rechristened Indira Priyadarshini LED Path Prakash Yojana and Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Shuddh Peyjal (clean drinking water) Yojana has been named as Indira Priyadarshini Shudhh Peyjal Yojana, reported Times of India.

This issue was raised by the BJP during ‘Zero Hour’ in the Assembly on Tuesday when Narayan Chandel (BJP) demanded a debate on their notice for adjournment motion and party colleague Ajay Chandrakar described the move as undemocratic.