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

New Delhi: A day before the arrival of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for a four-day visit to the national capital, the Park Street in Central Delhi has been renamed after the neighbouring country’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Ms Hasina, who is Sheikh 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 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 said.

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

Mr Rahman was the central figure in Bangladesh’s liberation movement and served as the Bangladesh president twice . 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 Cantonment 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 on Friday.”