Wrong information provided to Rajya Sabha, Ahmedabad airport renamed under my Chief Ministership only: Shankersinh

Gandhinagar: Former Chief Minister and senior leader Shankersinh Vaghela today said the the information provided to Rajya Sabha that international airport in Ahmedabad was named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel named under Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister and Keshubhai Patel as Chief Minister was wrong.

Prior to unveiling of Sardar Patel’s ‘Statue of Unity’ by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shankersinh Vaghela had told media persons that Ahmedabad airport was named after Sardar Patel during his Chief Ministership and HD Devegauda’s Prime Ministership.

However, in Rajya Sabha records, in a reply by then 25-4-200 by then Civil Aviation minister Sharad Yadav, it is clearly written that Ahmedabad airport was renamed as Sardar Patel international airport on 7 – 12 – 1998. On this date, Keshubhai Patel was Chief Minister of Gujarat and Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister of India.

Even this Lok Sabha reply by then Civil Aviation minister Sharad Yadav contradicts Vaghela’s claim.

Shankersinh today in a statement reiterated that airport was named after Sardar Patel during his Chief Ministership only. On Rajya Sabha record, he said Rajya Sabha had ben provided wrong information.

Shankersinh’s statement:

“The name of “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport” was suggested when I was CM of Gujarat. It was given to honour the great patriot Sardar Saheb & to keep remembering him for his contribution to our Nation. PM Shri H P Devegowda had inaugurated the airport with new name.”

“I am clarifying this now after years because some BJP people are now trying to tarnish the history for sake of their political benefits saying that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport was given name by Keshubhai when he was CM in presence of PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee which is untrue.”

“They have also provided wrong information to Rajyasabha. The inaugural memento at airport having details of inauguration done by who and from whom is missing or removed now.”

“This mentality of playing cheap politics to impress people for political gains by manipulation with history is something that degrades standards in politics. I condemn such acts.”

“Political party may come and may go, this is democratic country and therefore such things should not happen. I request the Airport Authority to find missing memento and make new memento and let people realise true history, as it has name of Sardar Saheb into it. ”

DeshGujarat