Memorial for Narasimha Rao not a political decision: Venkaiah Naidu

The government on Wednesday said the move to construct a memorial for former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao was "not political".

"It was not a political decision. Narasimha Rao was a Congress leader and he was in the Congress party till his last (breath). There is no political angle to it," Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said.
He said the government is also in favour of memorials for former Prime Ministers Chaudhury Charan Singh, IK Gujral and Morarji Desai.

"Unfortunately some people are trying to make cheap comments like linking it (the decision) with the Babri issue," Naidu said. The NDA government has mooted a proposal for constructing a memorial for Rao at Ekta Sthal on the banks of river Yamuna.

Defending the decision, Naidu said, "There should be a memorial in his (Rao) name here. It was unfortunate that earlier no place was given to him after his death. That is why our government decided for a memorial in his name and Urban Development Department has been asked to do the needful," he said.

The Urban Development Ministry has prepared a Cabinet note in this regard after receiving a proposal from Andhra Pradesh government for a suitable memorial in the memory of Rao, who is considered the harbinger of economic reforms in the country.

When a good thing is happening then it should be encouraged, Naidu said. He, however, said "bunglaows should not be converted into memorials. Cabinet has decided against it and SC (Supreme Court) is also against such move."