The politics of renaming public assets in Jaipur has once again come to the forefront, while recently, a significant bridge in Jaipur, previously known as 'Bharat Jodo Setu' (India Unification Bridge), has been renamed 'Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Setu'. This decision, taken by the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, is being viewed as a. Clever political maneuver by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), effectively neutralizing any potential opposition.
The Renaming of 'Bharat Jodo Setu': A Strategic Move
This bridge was inaugurated in 2022-23 when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' (India Unification March) was passing through Rajasthan, while the then Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, seized the opportunity to name the bridge 'Bharat Jodo Setu' after Rahul Gandhi's march. This naming wasn't only timely but also reinforced the Congress's message of national unity, while however, the BJP has now played a strategic 'game' by renaming it. Coinciding with the recent 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation passed a resolution to rename the 'Bharat Jodo Setu' as 'Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Setu'. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is historically revered for his pivotal role in unifying India, having integrated 562 princely states into the Indian Union after independence. By linking the bridge's name to Sardar Patel's monumental contribution to national unity, the BJP has effectively shifted the 'Bharat Jodo' narrative from the Congress's march to a universally respected national figure, making it exceedingly difficult for the Congress to oppose the change.
A Recurring Pattern in Rajasthan Politics
This isn't an isolated incident but rather a well-established pattern in Rajasthan's political landscape, where public assets are renamed for political objectives. For the BJP, this has been a tried and tested strategy. During his first tenure as Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot constructed a large building for the education department, known as 'Shiksha Sankul', on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg in Jaipur. He named it 'Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Sankul', honoring another prominent Congress leader.
The 'Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Sankul' Precedent
The Transformation of Jodhpur's 'Ashok Udyan'
When the first BJP government, led by Vasundhara Raje, came to power in 2003, they promptly renamed this grand edifice. The 'Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Sankul' was changed to 'Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Shiksha Sankul', while dr. Radhakrishnan, a revered national figure and former President, also had historical ties to the Congress. This move placed the Congress in a significant dilemma, as they couldn't openly oppose the naming of a public institution after a respected national educationist and former President, even though it was done to replace their own leader's name. Thus, the BJP successfully advanced its political agenda without facing substantial opposition.
Another similar instance occurred in Jodhpur. The Rajasthan Housing Board developed a large garden, and its then-chairman was Mansingh Devra. Mansingh Devra was the same individual who vacated the Soorsagar seat for Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in 1999, after which Gehlot appointed him as the Housing Board chairman. Devra named this garden 'Ashok Udyan', which in Jodhpur, subtly conveyed the impression of 'Ashok Gehlot Udyan'. The Vasundhara Raje government, however, played its own 'game' here. They simply added 'Samrat' (Emperor) before 'Ashok', changing the name to 'Samrat Ashok Udyan'. This subtle alteration shifted the garden's association from Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to the great historical ruler Emperor Ashok. Despite Ashok Gehlot serving two more terms as Chief Minister thereafter, he never reverted the name. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the BJP's strategy, as even the Congress hesitated to undo such a politically astute change.
Evolving Political Tactics: From CM to Mayor
Historically, such political 'games' were typically played at the Chief Minister's level. However, this strategy is now being implemented even at the mayoral level. Jaipur Mayor Somya Gurjar has demonstrated her political acumen and skill with this latest renaming, while in just five years, she has seemingly mastered political maneuvers typically associated with the Chief Minister's office, indicating a bright political future for her. This trend signifies that the BJP's strategy has permeated to lower administrative tiers, effectively being implemented through local bodies. These political ploys aren't merely symbolic; they also profoundly influence public perception, providing. The ruling party an opportunity to send a strong message and weaken the opposition.
