What is in a name? A lot, if you look at politics in Uttar Pradesh.
The state’s Samajwadi Party government has decided to restore the original names of six districts created by former chief minister Mayawati between 2007 and 2011.
The SP promised in its election manifesto that if voted to power it would restore the original names of districts carved out from existing districts or renamed. Sources said Prabuddh Nagar would be renamed Shamli district, Panchsheel Nagar as Hapur and Bhim Nagar as Sambhal, while JP Nagar would be known as Amroha.
These four districts were earlier tehsils and were carved out from existing districts.
The Akhilesh Yadav government feels the districts should have been named after tehsils which form a major part of these districts as people were accustomed to these names.
Sources said the UP government would also revert the name of Ramabai Nagar to the original Kanpur Dehat, and Mahamaya Nagar to the earlier Hathras. Another district likely to be reverted to its original name is Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar, which will again be known as Amethi.
Ms Mayawati, in her various stints in power, has created 15 new districts in UP. The BSP is upset over this move and accuses the Akhilesh government of having an “anti-dalit mentality”. It warns that whenever returned to power it will restore the names.