The Madhya Pradesh Congress has lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for removing a portrait of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the state assembly. The Congress leaders criticised the ruling party after a photo of former Law minister Bhimrao Ambedkar was placed in the assembly replacing Nehru's portrait, news agency ANI reported. Jaivardhan Singh, a Congress leader and son of former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, expressed disappointment over the incident and vowed to address the matter with Protem Speaker Gopal Bhargava.
Jaivardhan Singh remarked, "It is regrettable to remove Jawaharlal Nehru's photo from the House. The foundation of Indian democracy is strong because of Jawaharlal Nehru. BJP or whoever has removed Nehru's photo is wrong. I will discuss it with the Protem Speaker", as quoted by ANI.
Umang Singhar, the Leader of the Opposition, alleged that the BJP would further replace Ambedkar's photo with that of Nathuram Godse in the coming days. According to ANI, Singhar emphasised, "What is important is that their (BJP) effort is to eliminate his (Nehru) thoughts".
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MP Protem Speaker Denies Issuing Directive For Removing Nehru's Photo From Assembly
In response to these allegations, Protem Speaker Gopal Bhargava clarified that the changes had occurred during the last tenure, and he had not issued any recent instructions on the matter. "Nehru and Ambedkar are supreme leaders, there is equal respect for all. The issue will be sent to a special committee in the secretariat of the Assembly, and then we will act according to the decision," Bhargava stated.
Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla defended the installation of Ambedkar's photo and suggested that Nehru's picture would be placed at an appropriate location. "Congress should not talk like this about it. The secretariat will decide to place Nehru's photo at an appropriate place," Shukla told ANI.
According to a report by the Indian Express, Government officials said that Nehru's portrait had been taken down due to its poor condition. Subsequently, it was decided to place a portrait of Ambedkar at that spot.
Expressing concern, Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti criticised the removal of Nehru's photo, stating, "Both Nehru and Ambedkar are highly-respected leaders, their portraits should have been displayed in the assembly. It is wrong to remove Jawaharlal Nehru's photo. The way the Bharatiya Janata Party is thinking now, it seems that they (BJP) will remove the photos of both the great men and replace them with Godse's photo in the future."
Bharatiya Adivasi Party MLA Kamleshwar Dodiyar echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the removal of Nehru's photo was wrong. "If Nehru's photo has been removed, then I will talk to the Speaker. I will definitely raise any wrong issue in the House," Dodiyar told ANI.
The political uproar occurred during the first session of the 16th Madhya Pradesh Assembly, which commenced in Bhopal on Monday. Protem Speaker Gopal Bhargava administered the oath of office to the newly elected members during the four-day winter session, marking the beginning of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led BJP government.