Lucknow airport named after Charan Singh

Chaudhary Charan Singh was the father of Ajit Singh, the chief of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). With three MPs in the Lok Sabha, Singh is being wooed assiduously by both the Congress and the Left parties. Ajit Singh has said he is for the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement but despite his statement, CPI leader AB Bardhan called on him today to impress upon him, the need to oppose the UPA government and its pro-US tilt. Singh was reportedly noncommittal to the veteran CPI leader on this issue.

Briefing reporters after the meeting of the cabinet , Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said: "This decision (to rename the airport) will honour the sentiments of the people. It will also be a befitting tribute to the late Prime Minister," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today. Chaudhary Charan Singh was one of the architects of the Janata party in the run up to the Emergency of 1975 but collaborated with Mrs Indira Gandhi to topple the Janata Party government in 1979.

When asked if the renaming of the airport was to serve demand of certain
political parties in Uttar Pradesh, Chidambaram said: "It will ensure
smooth take off and landing".

 He added  that the demand has been pending with the government for
a long time. "It must have been made by previous state governments. I would not know when the demand was first made".

The Cabinet also reviewed the implementation of Prime Minister's new 15
point programme for welfare of minorities. "The Cabinet periodically
reviews the programme. The Prime Minister was satisfied with the outcome of the programme and called for speedy implementation," Chidambaram added.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said it had received requests in the
past from Government of Uttar Pradesh for naming of Lucknow airport
as "Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport, Lucknow". In a press release the ministry recalled that Chaudhary Charan Singh was the 7th Prime Minister of the country, an eminent freedom fighter and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.  "He was known for his simplicity, honesty and special commitment to the cause of farmers.
 
His contribution to enforcing and implementation of Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act is unforgettable."