Maharashtra: Shiv Sena renames scheme named after Rajiv Gandhi

Mumbai: Days after Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor raked up a controversy by protesting against places named after the Gandhi family, the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Jeevendayee Arogya Yojana’ (RGJAY) was renamed in a weekly state cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Drawing flak from the Congress, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)–led Maharashtra government had decided to name RGJAY– a scheme for cashless treatment for the poor – after Mahatma Phule.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and was the first one after the exit of senior minister Eknath Khadse, who resigned owing to a string of allegations.

Highlights:

• Congress leaders had strongly opposed the decision.
• "I strongly oppose this decision. It proves the BJP-led government's mental bankruptcy,” said a senior Congress leader.