Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday asked a "flustered" BJP whether it would change the name of Bharat if the opposition alliance INDIA rechristens itself ‘Bharat’, amid controversy over G20 dinner invites purportedly sent on behalf of the ‘President of Bharat’.
The Congress on Tuesday alleged that an invite sent by the Narendra Modi government for a G20 dinner refers to the President as "President of Bharat" and not India.
I have no official information on this. I have heard rumours. Why is this happening? It is being said that this is being done because we have formed an alliance named INDIA… The country belongs to 140 crore people and not to one party. If INDIA alliance rechristens itself Bharat, will they change the name of Bharat also," Kejriwal said Arvind Kejriwal .
Kejriwal, who is the national convener of AAP, alleged that BJP was afraid of the alliance and this is why it is resorting to such changes, which he termed as "treason".
"What a joke is this! This is our country. We have an ancient culture," he said.
"Their response to the INDIA alliance shows that they are quite flustered. They released the gimmick of 'One Nation One Election' to divert attention. How can they conduct a 'One Nation One Election'? How will it benefit people? How will it benefit you, and your family? Will it lead to a reduction in price rise, unemployment?" he asked.
The AAP leader said the BJP wanted one election every five years because it had no intention to work for the people and 'One Nation One Election' was merely a ploy to shirk responsibility.
"There is only one advantage of One Nation One Election. At present, they have to go among people and work every six months. Then, they will be seen once in five years. They will wander around the world for five years.
"I predict that if one nation one election happens, by the next election, the LPG cylinders will be sold at ?5,000 and they will offer a ?200 subsidy and boast about it. Basically, they do not want to work," he added.
Another AAP leader, Raghav Chadha, echoed similar views and asserted that "our national identity" is not "BJP's personal property."
"The BJP's recent move to change the reference from 'President of India' to 'President of Bharat' on official G20 summit invitations has raised eyebrows and ignited a public debate. How can the BJP strike down 'INDIA'? The country doesn't belong to a political party, it belongs to 135 crore Indians. Our national identity is not the BJP's personal property that it can modify on whims and fancies, Judega Bharat Jeetega INDIA," he said in a post on X.
Several BJP leaders in the past have raised demands for changing the name 'India' to 'Bharat'.
In the recently concluded Monsoon Session, BJP MP Naresh Bansal in the Rajya Sabha had said that the name 'India' is a symbol of "colonial slavery" and should be removed from the Constitution
*With Agency Inputs
Arvind + Trade
171.002.05 (1.21%) Updated - 08 Sep 2023
173.90 DAY HIGH
169.50 DAY LOW
88,672.00 VOLUME (BSE)
More Information
Related Premium Stories
Mint Explainer: Will India's G20 Presidency end without a joint declaration?
Mint Explainer: Is Thailand’s proposed Kra Canal a strategic game changer
Mint Explainer: Why did Xi Jinping decide to skip the G20 Summit in New Delhi?
Déjà vu: Is the One Nation, One Election plan feasible?
Mint Explainer: India-Canada ties and the Khalistan challenge
Mint Explainer: Who is Vivek Ramaswamy, the man disrupting the 2024 US prez race
Mint Explainer: Why the government cut LPG prices by ?200
In charts: Political fissures alive, no consensus in sight
Mint Explainer: Modi, Xi meet on sidelines of BRICS Summit. Why is it important
In charts: BJP hold intact, viable Opposition not emerging
Explore Premium
Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Updated: 05 Sep 2023, 05:51 PM IST