Row Erupts in Assembly Over Naming of Public Institutions After Nehru–Gandhi Family

A heated political exchange unfolded in a state Assembly session after a legislator claimed that more than 450 public entities across India are named after members of the Nehru–Gandhi family, accusing the Congress of turning national assets into “dynastic branding.”

During the session, R. Ashoka, BJP's Leader of Opposition in Karnataka, brandishes a lengthy list in the assembly showing over 450 roads, institutions, and schemes named after the Nehru-Gandhi family, accusing Congress of dynastic favoritism while decrying the VB-G RAM G Act's title.

The VB-G RAM G Act, or Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), replaced MGNREGA in December 2025 to reduce corruption and enhance rural job efficiency, yet Karnataka's Congress government opposes it as infringing on workers' rights and local governance.

The Opposition leader displayed a list said to include roads, universities, airports, stadiums, welfare schemes and awards carrying the Nehru–Gandhi name, arguing that the scale reflected a long-standing culture of political personalization of public institutions. The remarks came amid a broader debate over the naming of a new government initiative, with the speaker questioning Congress’s criticism of recent naming decisions by rival parties.

Congress members strongly objected to the characterization, defending the legacy of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi as central figures in India’s post-independence development. They argued that naming institutions after national leaders is a global practice and reflects historical contributions rather than dynastic control. Party representatives accused opponents of selectively targeting Congress while overlooking similar practices by other governments.

Political analysts say disputes over symbolic naming have increasingly become proxies for deeper ideological battles over history, legacy and identity in Indian politics. While the exact number of institutions named after political leaders remains debated, the controversy underscores how public memory and branding continue to be contested terrain ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

The Assembly proceedings were briefly disrupted as members from both sides exchanged slogans before the Speaker intervened to restore order. The naming debate is expected to continue in subsequent sessions.