New Delhi: Amid the controversy surrounding President Droupadi Murmu’s official dinner invitations to G20 Heads of State, ministers and other Indian officials, where she used the title ‘President of Bharat’ instead of ‘President of India’, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday questioned the rationale behind the move and even indicated that the Oppositions’ INDIA alliance was getting under the skin of the Narendra Modi-led central government.
Kejriwal, who was speaking to the media after launching 400 new electric buses in the city, said he had “heard the rumour” that India was to be renamed ‘Bharat’ through a proposal in the upcoming special Parliament session, adding that this a reaction to the Opposition alliance choosing to name itself ‘INDIA’.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is a coalition of 28 parties, including Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
“If an alliance of political parties names itself ‘INDIA’, will they (the Centre) change the country’s name? What if the INDIA alliance chooses to rename itself as Bharat? Will they change the country’s name to BJP? They are betraying the nation,” said Kejriwal.
The Delhi CM said that the central government was “extremely upset” with the Opposition parties coming together and went on to question the benefits of “One Nation, One Election” being pushed by the Centre.
The central government has formed an eight-member high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, and panchayats, which has triggered a sharp response from the Opposition.
“Will your family benefit from ‘One Nation, One Election’? Will it reduce unemployment and price rise? Currently, they (BJP) have to go amid the public every six months and do some work. One Nation, One Election has only one benefit, they [BJP] will show their face only once in five years,” Kejriwal said, adding the central government “is not interested in working for the public.”
Further, he went on to comment on the row that had erupted over the remarks made by Tamil Nadu Sports and Youth Affairs Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over “eradicating” the Sanatana Dharma.
“I am from the Sanatans Dharma, and I feel that we should respect each other’s religion. Speaking against each other’s religion is wrong,” said Kejriwal.
Udhayanidhi’s remark had created a political storm, which saw criticism from various political parties. Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, for instance, hit out at the DMK leader stating that it reflected his hate for a particular religion.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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