Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Row over airport naming

HYDERABAD: The naming of the new International Airport at Shamshabad after Rajiv Gandhi has kicked up a row with the Telugu Desam Party warning that it would disrupt the inaugural function on March 14 if it failed to continue the party founder, N. T. Rama Rao’s name for the domestic terminal.

At a press conference, TDP MLAs T. Devender Goud, K. Harishwar Reddy, E. Dayakar Rao and P. Keshav said they would not remain silent spectators when “the greatest ever Telugu film hero, symbol of Telugu pride and a visionary political leader” is sought to be belittled. “Removal of his name is an insult to Telugus,” they added.

The party had earlier raised the issue in the Assembly and stalled the Question Hour leading to the adjournment of the House for 15 minutes.

On the other hand, the Minority Welfare Minister, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, justified the naming saying Rajiv Gandhi was a former Prime Minister of India and architect of modern technology. Responding to questions, he said it was a mistake on the part of the previous government to have two names of a single airport. He was evasive when it was pointed out that all metros had different names for international and domestic airports.

Mr. Goud recalled that the naming of the existing international and domestic airport terminals at Begumpet after Rajiv Gandhi and NTR, respectively, was approved by the Centre. “We remained quiet thinking that there will be no change. But now NTR’s name is sought to be removed and the entire airport is to be renamed after Rajiv Gandhi. We will not allow this to happen.”

He argued that the Government had several projects and schemes named after Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and questioned why it cannot recognise the contribution of the son of the soil who brought glory to Telugus. He made it clear that the TDP, if returned to power, would rename the airport. However, he welcomed the airport project and recalled that it was the brainchild of the TDP Government.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Row over airport naming
Live web cast of Sonia meet at Jaggampeta
Bypolls: Congress banks on local leaders
AU okays Aptuit Laurus course
Waiver of loans up to Rs. 1 lakh
Women’s panel to be revamped
Poultry sector plea
Gram Panchayat staff to intensify stir
Uproar over Wakf land sale
Manda Krishna threatens to jump to death
One thing the seventh Nizam dreaded the most
Real estate professionals can now get Harvard tag
Shubha Mudgal, Bombay Jayashree jugalbandi
Authorities promise to streamline CGHS
GHMC to control Punjagutta, S.R. Nagar graveyards
Ground realities hit air travellers
Begumpet ATC for new airport
Veterinary students want norms relaxed
Nasir remanded to judicial custody
Harikrishna may be Telugu Desam candidate for Rajya Sabha
UoH refutes charge
Actor’s son held
Hyderabad Today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu