Nehru To Ambedkar: Portrait Switch In Madhya Pradesh Assembly Ignites Controversy, Prompts Congress Protests

The portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and (now) Dr BR Ambedkar stand behind the Speaker's Chair.

In a recent development, the newly formed BJP government in Madhya Pradesh stirred controversy during its first Assembly session by replacing a portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru with one of Dr. BR Ambedkar. The move sparked protests from the opposition Congress, accusing the BJP of attempting to “erase history.” Abbas Hafeez, the Congress spokesperson, strongly condemned the removal of Nehru’s photograph, emphasizing the significance of preserving historical symbols.

The four-day winter session commenced with pro-tem Speaker Gopal Bhargava administering oaths to new MLAs. Umang Singhar of the Congress was elected Leader of the Opposition. Despite the BJP’s decisive victory in the recent election, the opposition remains vocal against perceived historical alterations.

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The BJP’s nomination of former Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar for the full-time Speaker’s post adds another layer to the political landscape. Tomar, a seasoned politician, was among three ex-union ministers fielded by the BJP in the election.

Contrary to expectations, the BJP appointed three-time MLA and former Education Minister Mohan Yadav as the Chief Minister, sidelining veteran leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In an interview with NDTV, Yadav downplayed the urgency to form a cabinet, stating, “There is no hurry; it will be formed soon.”

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As the political dynamics unfold, the controversy over the portrait switch raises questions about the BJP’s approach to historical symbols and the ensuing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition in Madhya Pradesh.

Priyanka Rai