The Uttaranchal Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill approving the change of name of the state to Uttarakhand amid protests by Bharatiya Janata Party. The Uttaranchal Bill 2006 was passed by voice vote even as BJP members accused the government of trying to hide its 'failure' under the garb of change of name process.
Later BJP member staged a walkout in the House. Bahujan Samaj Party members were also not present during the discussion.
The Assembly's seal of approval came more than a month after the state cabinet had endorsed the change of name. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh said there was a long standing demand from the people to change the name of Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand.
The name Uttarakhand is synonymous with the statehood agitation, which is a highly emotive issue in the state, Hridayesh said, adding this is the true tribute to the statehood activists who laid their lives for the cause. UKD members also supported the bill.
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