Renaming Mughal Gardens won't solve problems, says Mayawati

Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati asked the Centre if renaming the Rashtrapati Bhavan's famed Mughal Gardens will solve the problems of the people.

"Except for a handful of people, all the people of the country are suffering from a stressful life due to high inflation, poverty, unemployment, etc, and instead of focusing on resolving these problems, attempt to divert people's attention through conversion, renaming, boycott and hate speeches are unfair and sad," she tweeted.

The former UP Chief Minister also asked: "Will changing the name of the famous Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan solve the burning day-to-day problems of the country and crores of people here? Else, the general public will consider this as an attempt by the government to cover up its shortcomings and failures."

The garden was renamed Amrit Udyan yesterday. The horticultural paradise is spread across 15 acres and has over 150 varieties of roses, tulips, Asiatic lilies, daffodils, and other ornamental flowers. It is the major attraction of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, often dubbed the soul of the presidential palace.

The BJP on Saturday said the name change will shred "yet another symbol of colonialism." Several opposition parties reacted by asking the government to focus on creating jobs and controlling inflation.

Trinamool Congress' Parliamentary party leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien said: "Who knows, they might now want to rename the Eden Gardens and call it Modi Gardens! They should focus on creating jobs, controlling inflation, and protecting the precious resources of LIC and SBI." CPI general secretary D Raja said this name change has been going on for quite some time and "no one knows when it will end". The Left party also called it an "attempt to rewrite history." The Congress did not officially react to the move.