Congratulating Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for a new office building, Governor Ram Naik suggested that the new building be named as `mantralaya’ instead of Secretariat or Sachivalaya. The new multi-storey building of the CM’s office on Vidhan Sabha Marg is proposed to be inaugurated on the auspices of Independence Day on August 15.
In a letter to the CM, Naik said, “Naming the new building of the CM’s office as `mantralaya’ would be more meaningful and relevant rather than relying on colonial relics like `secretariat’ and `sachivalaya’. He felt that the new building be named as per the history, culture, profile and dignity of the state.
The office of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, also housing the state secretariat is called as `mantralaya’ and Governor Ram Naik is a native of the western state.
In December 2014, the Governor had asked CM Akhilesh Yadav to observe UP Diwas on January 24 - the founding day of Uttar Pradesh. On January 24, 1950, United Province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh. Naik lamented that UP Diwas is celebrated by north Indians in Maharashtra but not in UP.