BJP against naming Food Security Scheme after Indira Gandhi

The party appealed to the EC not to allow the move

Opposing Congress' reported move to rename the Food Security scheme after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, BJP today appealed to the Election Commission of India not to allow it since the model code of conduct was already in force in some states due to have Assembly elections.

"Congress has named more than 450 plus government schemes, projects, roads, institutions, fellowships after three of its leaders from one family. Now, they are trying to name Food Security scheme after Indira Gandhi. We urge the Election Commission not to allow the move," senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here.

He also released the list of government schemes, fellowships, scholarships, educational institutions, ports and airports, national parks and sanctuaries, sports tournaments, trophies, stadiums, hospitals, national scientific and research institutions named after three former Prime Ministers from Congress -- Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

Reacting to Congress leader Digvijay Singh's remark that BJP would have been non-existent today if Sardar Vallabhai Patel had become the first Prime Minister, Naidu said, "I agree with Singh. Had Patel been the first PM, BJP would not have been there, he was such a secular nationalist."

To a query on reports citing Patel banning RSS, he said the leader had lifted the ban after coming to know that the RSS did not have anything to do with Gandhi's assassination.

Asked whether it was right on the part of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to criticise the Prime Minister, he said, "Prime Minister is not God. A Chief Minister is equally important."

Naidu also blamed the JD(U) government in Bihar and the Centre for their alleged "casualness" for the serial blasts at Patna before Modi's rally.

Asked about his party's stand on whether India should take part in the CHOGM at Colombo next month against the backdrop of various parties in Tamil Nadu asking the government to boycott it, he said, "India should decide on the larger interest of the country. However, it should impress upon Sri Lanka to implement the 13th amendment (on devolution of powers to the provinces) signed between (Rajiv) Gandhi and Jayawardene.