Delhi's Park Street renamed after Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

New Delhi: The Park Street in Delhi will now be known after Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with the NDMC approving its renaming a day before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrives on a four-day visit.

Hasina, who is Rahman's daughter, will have a series of meetings on various issues including on enhancing rail, road and water connectivity.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) arrived at a decision aimed at expressing a "friendly gesture" by circular motion.

"It has been decided to rename Park Street after founder of Bangladesh --Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-- ahead of Sheikh Hasina's visit. This is like a friendly gesture as

India shares cordial relations with Bangladesh," a senior NDMC official told PTI.

"The decision was arrived at through a circular motion as a council meeting could not be convened for the purpose due to shortage of time and with the model code of conduct being in place because of MCD polls," he added.

Rahman was the central figure in Bangladesh's liberation movement and served twice as the Bangladesh President. He studied law at Maulana Azad College in Kolkata and joined student politics there.

According to NDMC officials, while 12 of the council members including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal agreed to the proposal, AAP MLA from Delhi Cantt Surinder Singh refused to give his consent.

NDMC Vice Chairman Karan Singh Tanwar, said, "The task of changing the sign boards will be carried out tonight to ensure that it is completed before the Bangladesh PM's arrival tomorrow."

This is the fourth time that the NDMC has renamed a road in less than two years. In 2015, Aurangzeb Road was named as APJ Abdul Kalam Road. Race Course Road, where the Prime Minister's residence is located, was renamed as Lok Kalyan Marg last year.

The civic body had also renamed Dalhousie Road in the national capital as Dara Shikoh Road after the elder brother of Mughal emperor Aurganzeb earlier this year.