Akhilesh Yadav targets the ruling BJP over the proposed naming of Jewar Airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Img: Dynamite News)
Deoria: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday took a jibe at the ruling BJP government in the state over the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet's reported approval of a proposal to name Jewar Airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at a tribute meeting for former MLA Suresh Yadav in Deoria, the SP chief alleged that leaders nearing the end of their time in power wanted to leave their names behind on major projects rather than highlight their work for the public.
Akhilesh Yadav was in Raksha village in the Lar area of Deoria district to attend a condolence and tribute meeting for late former MLA Suresh Yadav. During his visit, journalists asked him about the Uttar Pradesh cabinet's reported approval of a proposal to name Jewar Airport the Narendra Modi International Airport.
Responding to the question, Yadav suggested that the BJP leadership was preparing for its departure from power and wanted to leave a lasting mark through the naming of prominent public infrastructure.
He also criticised the BJP's double-engine government, alleging that it had little work to showcase for the public and was focusing instead on attaching political leaders' names to major projects.
The comments reflect the SP chief's criticism of the ruling party's governance priorities. His remarks were political allegations and did not establish the government's intentions behind the proposed naming decision.
The proposed naming of Jewar Airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has added a political dimension to one of Uttar Pradesh's major infrastructure projects. Located in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, the airport is strategically important for air connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR) and western Uttar Pradesh. It is expected to support passenger travel, cargo operations, tourism, business activity and regional investment.
Large infrastructure projects often become part of political debates over development, public spending, leadership and legacy. The proposed airport name has brought these questions into focus, with the opposition challenging the government's priorities.
For the BJP, infrastructure development has been an important part of its governance narrative. The SP, meanwhile, has used the issue to question how the government presents its achievements and whether public projects should carry the names of political leaders.
Akhilesh Yadav's remarks add to the ongoing political contest between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. Both parties have frequently clashed over development policies, governance decisions and the public presentation of major projects.
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The airport naming issue also highlights a wider debate over how governments recognise political leadership through public infrastructure. Such decisions can attract public attention because airports and other major facilities serve people beyond a single constituency or political base.
However, the naming proposal alone does not establish the economic or operational impact of the airport. Its broader significance will depend on infrastructure delivery, connectivity, passenger services and the benefits it brings to the region. Akhilesh Yadav's remarks have put the proposed naming decision in the spotlight, but the final administrative position should be confirmed through official government announcements before the change is treated as complete.
