Mayawati criticises BJP, SP for renaming places instead of prioritising governance
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Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has sharply criticised the BJP and Samajwadi Party (SP) for their continued focus on renaming various places instead of addressing pressing governance issues.
Her remarks came in response to the Uttarakhand government’s recent decision to rename 11 locations across several districts, including Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar.
Mayawati accused the BJP governments in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand of resorting to what she described as "narrow politics" aimed at masking governance failures through "hatred and discrimination."
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she stated, “Like the SP government of UP, the tendency of BJP governments of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and UP to change names of districts, cities, and institutions is not governance of the rule of law but a very worrying narrow politics.”
Drawing a contrast to her party’s rule in undivided Uttar Pradesh from 1995 to 2012, Mayawati highlighted that the BSP’s approach was focused on effective governance and development rather than renaming places. “During BSP’s four terms in power, we prioritised good governance by implementing welfare schemes, creating new districts, hospitals, universities, and tehsils, all with new names. No existing names were changed. Governments should learn from this,” she added.
The controversy arose following Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s announcement on Monday, renaming several places across Uttarakhand to reflect cultural and historical sentiments. According to Dhami, the renaming initiative aimed to honor prominent personalities who contributed to preserving Indian culture.
In Haridwar, places like Aurangzebpur, Gajiwali, and Chandpur will be renamed Shivaji Nagar, Arya Nagar, and Jyotiba Phule Nagar, respectively. Additionally, names like Mohammadpur Jat and Khanpur Kursli will be changed to Mohanpur Jat and Ambedkar Nagar.
Similarly, Dehradun will witness Miyanwala being renamed as Ramji Wala, Pirwala as Kesari Nagar, and Abdullah Nagar as Daksh Nagar. In Nainital, Nawabi Road will be renamed Atal Marg, while the Panchakki to ITI road will be called Guru Golwalkar Marg.
Chief Minister Dhami defended the decision, stating, “The names should align with the culture, sentiments of local people, and Devbhoomi. The people have welcomed this step.”