Row over Adani group’s ad naming LGBI airport as Adani Guwahati International Airport; CM says he won’t let it happen
Many organisations and regional parties oppose the privatisation bid of the Guwahati airport and have termed it as an insult to the memory of the freedom fighter and Assam’s first chief minister after whom the airport is named. The privatisation bid was a major issue in the last state assembly elections.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Wednesday, has assured the people of the state that as long as he is the chief minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the premier of the country, there is no question of changing the name of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati.
“No one can change the name of LGBI Airport in Guwahati. I appeal to various organisations, bodies, and political parties not to make this an issue. As long as I am the Chief Minister of Assam and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at the Centre, we will not let it happen,” he said, speaking to the press in Golaghat, Assam.
The Chief Minister’s reaction came after an advertisement by Adani group in a local newspaper named the LGBI Airport as Adani Guwahati International Airport Limited (AGIAL). The advertisement drew severe criticism from various quarters in the state.
“The sentiments of the Assamese people are associated with the name of the airport. It’s named after Assam’s first chief minister and a Bharat Ratna. I want to ask the government how they can let something like this happen,” said Ripun Bora, Congress MP, on Wednesday.
Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) President, Lurinjyoti Gogoi has warned the state government of vehement protests around the state if they change the name. “This advertisement goes on to say who is dearer to Assam government – Gautam Adani or Bharat Ratna Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi. If this has to happen we will launch protests around the state and it will grow stronger till the government rectifies the mistake,” said Gogoi. Recently, the AJP had launched a mass-signature drive to demand the withdrawal of the decision to hand over the LGBI Airport to the Adani group and on August 15, over 500 had signed it.
Many organisations and regional parties oppose the privatisation bid of the Guwahati airport and have termed it as an insult to the memory of the freedom fighter and Assam’s first chief minister after whom the airport is named. The privatisation bid was a major issue in the last state assembly elections.
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