The Mysuru City Corporation's proposal to rename a road after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been opposed by a citizen's group citing allegations of corruption against the chief minister.
The city corporation, on November 22, had decided to rename the "KRS road" (Krishnaraja Sagara road that leads to the famous KRS dam and Brindavan gardens) as "Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga" and also published an advertisement (on December 13) inviting the public to file their objections within 30 days.
The MCC which has no elected council, has decided to rename the stretch between Sri Laxminarayan Swamy temple and Metagalli (Royal Inn junction) in Mysuru, the home turf of Siddaramaiah.
In a letter to the city corporation, Bhanu Mohan, president of Parisara Samrakshana Samiti, objected to the proposal stating that renaming a road after a person facing corruption charges and pending probe by the Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate would send a wrong message to the people.
Meanwhile, the BJP slammed the city corporation as well as Siddaramaiah for the move. "Why should you rename a road named after the Mysore royals who contributed to building the KRS dam? Siddaramaiah is known to target the royal family. He should build a new road and perhaps have it named after him," said LOP R Ashok.
State BJP chief BY Vijayendra said the move is questionable as the corporation had decided in the absence of an elected council. "Also the road has been named after the royals, who contributed to the growth of Mysuru. "Siddaramaiah is misusing power to rename a road after his name. I wonder if his conscience pricks him ever. Only the one who follows the footsteps of Tuglaq can do such a thing," he said.