Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati has praised the Yogi Adityanath government’s decision to change the name of Bhadohi district.
Lucknow: The issue of renaming districts has once again come under discussion in Uttar Pradesh politics. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has welcomed the Yogi Adityanath government’s decision to rename Bhadohi district back to its old name, Sant Ravidas Nagar. While praising the decision, Mayawati also sharply criticized the Samajwadi Party (SP) and demanded the restoration of the old names of several other districts.
In her statement, Mayawati said that Bhadohi was first named Sant Ravidas Nagar during the BSP government’s tenure, but was later changed by the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government. She alleged that the change was made due to narrow political considerations.
The decision of the Yogi government was termed as a right step.
The BSP chief said that the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to reinstate the name Sant Ravidas Nagar was a wise decision. She thanked the state government for this decision. Mayawati said that during the BSP governments, several new districts, tehsils, development blocks, and police administrative units were created to strengthen the administrative system and improve public convenience.
He said that many of these districts were named after social reformers, saints, and great men. He claimed that the names of many districts created during the BSP government were later changed by the SP government.
Demand to restore the names of Kanshiram Nagar and other districts
Mayawati demanded the Uttar Pradesh government revert the old names of other districts, similar to Sant Ravidas Nagar. She specifically mentioned Kanshiram Nagar, saying it was named after Kanshiram, when the Kasganj area was granted district headquarters status to promote development in the Braj region. According to Mayawati, the name was later changed by the Samajwadi Party government.
The BSP chief said the government should restore the names of districts named after Kanshi Ram and other great figures. She also said it would be an honor for the BSP if this decision is made before or on Kanshi Ram’s death anniversary.
SP accused of political discrimination
In her statement, Mayawati leveled serious allegations against the Samajwadi Party. She said that the SP government reflected its political thinking by changing the names of districts named after prominent figures from Dalit and backward classes. She alleged that this move was against social justice and the respect of backward classes. Mayawati said that the public will never forget such decisions.