On the morning of February 24, when President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled plaque of the inauguration of Motera Cricket Stadium – the world’s largest cricket stadium – in Ahmedabad, everyone was in for a surprise. It said, “INAUGURATION OF NARENDRA MODI STADIUM AHMEDABAD”.
Since then, social media has been flooded with posts. Quite predictably, Modi and BJP supporters have welcomed the move while their detractors have been critical of the move.
What’s in a name, they say. Well, everything, if the posts on the social media are anything to go by.
It was a closely-guarded secret so much so that those who coordinated with the media were either not aware of the stadium’s name change or were asked to keep mum. A highly placed source said that the decision seems to have been taken at the highest level.
From what appears, and going by the President’s official Twitter handle, it seems that he was also not aware about the name change. The Twitter handle said, “Watch LIVE: President Kovind inaugurates the Motera Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.” Of course, in his speech, he did mention that he feels honoured inaugurating the Motera Stadium, which has been renamed Narendra Modi Stadium.
Exactly one year ago, Modi had hosted the then US president Donald Trump at the stadium at the “Namaste Trump” event. So, how could he miss the inauguration of his dream project, which he had envisaged during his stint as chief minister of Gujarat and the president of Gujarat Cricket Association?
After all, Modi has been present at all major events in Gujarat whether it be the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Statue of Unity, its inauguration, launching the sea plane service, Ro-Ro ferry service, inaugurating a desalination plant in Kutch, among others. The list is endless.
But then, renaming the stadium in his presence would have looked odd.
The decision may well have been taken by the GCA, but those who know Modi well know that the name change could not have been done without he knowing it.
“The BJP is seeking votes in the name of Sardar (read Sardar Patel) and then the name is forgotten; It is an injustice to Sardar Patel; now even currency notes will have someone else’s photograph and name” - these are sample of posts doing the rounds on social media.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “Beautiful how the truth reveals itself. Narendra Modi stadium. Adani end and Reliance end.” He was referring to pavilion end and the opposite end being named after two corporate giants.
Independent MLA from Vadgam, Jignesh Mevani, sarcastically asked Modi to rename the famous Kankaria Zoo.
Padma Shri Vishnu Pandya, a right-wing idealogue, did not see much in renaming of the cricket stadium and refused to comment about it. He, however, observed that the BJP is a party with a large heart and creates issues for others to talk about.
Gujarat BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas said that the Congress does not have any issue and hence, is raking up this issue. Narendra Modi Stadium is to be part of 233-acre Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, he said.
Vyas said that Modi is the longest serving “successful” chief minister of Gujarat and incumbent prime minister. “He is the pride of Gujarat,” he said.
