Ranchi, Oct 7 (PTI) Jharkhand’s opposition BJP on Wednesday “renamed” Harmu Chowk here after ‘Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Seva’ by putting up a board at the major road crossing to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public service as head of government.
Ranchi Mayor Roshni Khalkho said the renaming process will be completed soon.
The Congress, which is part of the ruling JMM-led coalition, protested the move, stating that the Chowk is not the property of the BJP, and asked the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) how the saffron party received permission to erect the board.
Harmu Chowk is one of the most prominent intersections in the state capital. It is a major junction connecting central Ranchi with residential areas, commercial zones, and major arterial roads.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to transform India into a ‘Vikshit Bharat’ (developed India) by 2047. We also aim to turn that vision into reality. Therefore, the location, which was previously known as Harmu Chowk, will now be known as Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Seva Chowk,” BJP state president Aditya Sahu said.
Viksit Bharat Sankalp Seva refers to mass outreach initiatives launched across the country to celebrate Modi’s 25 continuous years of public service as the head of government — from becoming Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001, to serving as the Prime Minister.
The RMC will soon pass a proposal on this, Sahu said while talking to reporters.
“We will soon initiate the renaming process and present it before the RMC Board. I am fully confident that it will be passed unanimously. After all, the respected Prime Minister has introduced countless schemes for this country as well as Jharkhand,” Khalko said.
Ranchi Municipal Corporation elections are conducted on a non-party basis, but political parties support mayoral candidates. Roshni Khalkho was backed by the BJP during the election held in February.
Jharkhand Congress media in-charge, Rakesh Sinha, said the BJP should stop harbouring the delusion that it can rename a public place whenever it wishes and put up its own political signage there.
“Harmu Chowk is not the BJP’s personal property. It is a public space belonging to the people, and no political party has the right to name it,” Sinha said.
He said if the BJP claims the name of Harmu Chowk has changed, it should immediately make public the official order, notification, and the approval of the competent authority about the renaming.
“If there is no order, the BJP should clarify by what authority it put up a renaming board at a public site? The Ranchi Municipal Corporation must clarify who granted permission to install the board and under which rule it was authorised,” the Congress leader said.
If the administration installed the board without permission, it must remove it immediately and take action under the rules, Sinha said.
He said the Congress will take to the streets if the board is not removed from Harmu Chowk immediately. PTI SAN NN
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