Controversy erupts over names of new medical colleges in UP

"Medical colleges were established in Orai, Kannauj, Azamgarh, Saharanpur, Badaun, Banda, Basti, Bahraich and Faizabad under the Samajwadi Party government. Till now, this government has not done any work in health. Their claims are hollow. The society has also understood their truth," Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sunil Singh Sajan stated.

As per a recent media report by India Today, it was also claimed by SP that BJP is almost strategically naming the medical colleges to play foul by exploiting the mention of the voters. In Pratapgarh, the medical college has been named after the founder of Apna Dal, Sonelal Patel. This can influence the people of 16 districts of UP where the Kurmi-Patel vote bank is 12 per cent. The hospital associated with it, on the other hand, will be named 'Raja Pratap Bahadur Chikitsalaya,' which seems like an attempt by the BJP to capture Thakur votes.

Political analysts seem to agree that names of the colleges have been given to indicate the respect that the party workers and leaders have for the faith of the land and thus to keep the Brahmin vote bank connected. The medical college of Mirzapur will also be named after 'Maa Vindhyavasini' -- a Shakti Peeth which carries the respect and faith of thousands of people in the state. The Brahmin vote bank in UP is about 13 per cent and Purvanchal has its significant influence, reports the daily.

Etah's medical college will be known as Veerangana Avanti Bai Lodhi Medical College. Avanti Bai Lodhi was the country's first woman freedom fighter and martyr Veerangana. The name will get immediate attention and respect for the Lodhi caste in UP. According to the daily, the influence of Lodhi is maximum in Etah, Agra and adjoining districts. Moreover, the new medical college at Ghazipur will be named as Maharishi Vishwamitra. In Deoria, the upcoming medical college is most likely to get the name Maharishi Deoraha Baba Medical College. Devraha Baba is a well-recognized name not only in Deoria but Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Ballia, Sant Kabir Nagar, Mau, Azamgarh and Ghazipur.

Meanwhile, denying the allegations that BJP chooses the name of medical colleges on a caste-basis agenda to target vote bank, UP Minister Siddarthnath Singh stated that their intention is only to pay homage to the respected figures and the matter is not related to any caste. "This shows shallow-thinking of the SP. And if the projects belong to them, then why didn't they complete it on time?" he asked.