The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved naming the Noida International Airport as Narendra Modi International Airport on Friday. Opposition leaders criticised the move, calling it a branding exercise. Akhilesh Yadav said, "Those on their way out want to name things only to be remembered." Congress also questioned the government's renaming priorities.
Noida International Airport Renamed Narendra Modi International Airport PTI
The proposal to name Noida's Jewar airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew criticism and sarcasm from opposition leaders on Friday. Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of trying to leave behind reminders of itself, while Congress questioned what a change of name would achieve.
The reactions followed the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet's approval of a proposal to name the facility Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav linked the decision to his prediction of the government's departure from power.
"Those on their way out want to name things only to be remembered. They want to leave behind a reminder," he was quoted as saying by NDTV in hindi.
Yadav also cited earlier naming decisions involving a stadium and a cancer institute in Lucknow. He accused the government of relying on renaming rather than its own work for the public.
Cockroach Janta Party co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka used humour to connect the announcement with transport restrictions ahead of the party's October 10 protest in Delhi.
"After stopping all the trains and buses, Modi has now named the airport after himself. Who in the world is advising these people?" he wrote on X, in a post.
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to ensure that metro and train services were not completely halted, allowing for regulated operations ahead of the protest.
Congress leader Aradhana Mishra questioned the government's priorities.
"Merely changing the name does not change the reality," she said in Hindi, according to Navbharat Times.
Mishra urged the government to concentrate on infrastructure, employment and education instead of the politics of renaming.
AIMIM spokesperson Shadab Chauhan said the airport's location in a farming region offered an opportunity to honour a farmer leader. He also suggested recognising freedom fighters.
"This is limited to their own publicity and branding," he said in Hindi, ABP Live reported.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the Cabinet decision on Friday, saying it recognised Modi's contribution to the airport project. Modi inaugurated the airport's first phase on March 28 this year.