Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 25: Referring to reports that the West Bengal Assembly is seeking to rename the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Centre should accept the demand and extend similar consideration to any such proposal from Jammu and Kashmir in the future.
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Kerala Government’s proposal to change the state’s name to Keralam. Following the approval, Mamata Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction that the West Bengal Government’s proposal to rename the state has remained pending with the Centre for a long time despite the clearance granted to Kerala.
“Other states have also proposed name changes. If the West Bengal Assembly is seeking to rename the state, the Centre should accept this demand,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar.
He added that if a similar resolution is moved in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the Union Government should give it due consideration. “If a similar proposal was to be moved in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in the future, the Centre should also give it due consideration,” he said.
Welcoming the Vice President on his maiden visit after assuming office, the Chief Minister said he is arriving in the evening to attend the 21st convocation of University of Kashmir on Thursday. “Students are eagerly waiting to receive their degrees and medals from him. This is his first visit after assuming office and we welcome him,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Omar laid the foundation stone for the ‘Bab-ul-Sultan-ul-Arifeen’ calligraphy gate at Rainawari Chowk in Srinagar, saying the project is part of the government’s efforts to beautify the old city and attract more tourists to downtown areas.
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