Mysuru, Dec 25: A proposal by the Mysuru City Corporation to rename a key stretch of road after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sparked sharp political backlash. The stretch between Sri Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy Temple Circle and Royal Inn Junction in Metagalli is being considered for renaming as “Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga,” with the civic body inviting public feedback on the suggestion.
The move has drawn strong criticism from the opposition, particularly from the Janata Dal (Secular) party (JDS), which has called the proposal a “betrayal and insult” to the people of Karnataka. The JDS raised concerns over naming the road after Siddaramaiah, who is embroiled in allegations related to the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The party emphasized that Siddaramaiah, referred to as “accused A1” in the scam, is under investigation for reportedly obtaining land illegally, and questioned the propriety of honoring him in this manner, as reported by The Hindustan Times.
“There is no elected board in the Mysore Metropolitan Corporation, and decisions are being made by officials appointed by the Congress government. Naming a road after the Chief Minister is a betrayal and insult not only to the historic city of Mysore but to the entire state,” said the JDS in a statement.
Chamaraja MLA Harish Gowda, who is reportedly a supporter of the move, is said to have recommended Siddaramaiah’s name for the renaming. However, this has done little to quell the uproar within the opposition ranks.
The controversy over the road naming comes at a time when the MUDA scam, in which Siddaramaiah is implicated, continues to dominate political discourse in the state. There have been repeated calls from various quarters to discuss the issue in the Karnataka Assembly. Congress leader BK Hariprasad recently responded to the BJP’s demand for a probe into the scam by countering with a call for an investigation into land allegedly allotted to the RSS during the previous BJP government.
“Vijayendra should ask for the investigation of the land allotted to RSS and Sangh Parivar… At what cost have they taken this land?” Hariprasad said, adding further fuel to the ongoing political debate.
While the debate rages on, the Mysuru City Corporation is continuing its consultation process, with public feedback expected to play a key role in shaping the final decision on the proposed road renaming. The outcome could have significant implications for the political landscape in Karnataka, as Siddaramaiah’s name remains a point of contention for both supporters and critics alike.
