NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Uttaranchal (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2006, for changing Uttaranchal as Uttarakhand, amidst a walkout by the Samajwadi Party (SP) members, demanding the return of Hardwar to Uttar Pradesh.

The Bill was adopted after a debate on the Bill. The BJP members opposed the name change, saying legislation had been brought in keeping in mind the coming Assembly elections.

BJP members Bachhi Singh Rawat and B.C. Khandurisaid a lot of research and thought had gone into naming of the State when it was carved out in 2000.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said he would not comment on the Hardwar issue, as it was not connected with the issue before the House. The SP members, led by Ramjilal Suman, then staged a walkout. They, however, supported the Bill.

Mr. Jaiswal said the Uttaranchal Assembly passed a resolution on the name change and it was sent to the Centre. The resolution was forwarded to the President and he recommended that a Bill be introduced in the Lok Sabha.

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