The BJP hit out on Friday following the decision of the Karnataka government to rename neighbouring Ramanagara district as ‘Bengaluru South'. The party claimed that it has exposed the "anti-Ram" and "anti-Hindu" mindset of the Congress.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress government of being involved in numerous scams, including one linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Instead of addressing these issues and the concerns of the public, the government chose to change the name of the Ramanagara district, he claimed.
"Why does the Congress party have such hatred towards Lord Shri Ram? In Karnataka, where there are ongoing scams like the 'MUDA Scam' and the 'Valmiki Scam,' instead of addressing public issues, the name of Ramanagara was changed," he remarked.
As per news agency PTI, Poonawalla questioned whether the state government made this decision to benefit its "real estate friends" and out of animosity towards Lord Ram. He argued that the Congress has a history of opposing the Ram temple, questioning the existence of Lord Ram, and referring to "Hindu terror," while its allies have also made disparaging remarks about the Ramcharitmanas.
He highlights that this decision shows the "anti-Ram" and "anti-Hindu" mindset of the Congress.
Poonawalla also noted that the Congress recently criticised the renaming of 'Durbar Hall' and 'Ashok Hall' in the Rashtrapati Bhawan to 'Ganatantra Mandap' and 'Ashok Mandap' respectively, yet proceeded to change the name of Ramanagara district.
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Ramanagara Renamed: H D Kumaraswamy Promises To Reverse Decision If Voted To Power
Hitting out at the proposal, H D Kumaraswamy stated that he would reverse it if he became Chief Minister again. The former Chief Minister also alleged that the proposal's motive was to exploit real estate opportunities in the area.
He had previously threatened to undertake a fast unto death if the Karnataka government proceeded with the plan to rename the district. Ramanagara district is the political stronghold of Kumaraswamy, as he has represented the Ramanagara and Channapatna Assembly segments and served as an MP from the region.
The decision regarding renaming of Ramanagara district was announced earlier today.
"We have decided to rename Ramanagara district as Bengaluru South....It is being done keeping in mind 'Brand Bengaluru' and based on the demand of the people there. The Revenue Department will start the process," Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said, PTI reported.
During a press briefing after the Cabinet meeting, he said, "Only the name of the district will change, remaining all names (of taluks) will remain the same." Ramanagara town, approx 50 km from here, will remain the headquarters of the renamed district.
"People of Ramanagara want to come under Brand Bengaluru. It is the opinion of people, people of the district, and certain prominent personalities of the district that they want Brand Bengaluru," he said.
Ramanagara is the home district of Shivakumar, the state Congress chief. He represents the Kanakapura Assembly segment in the district and initially proposed the renaming in October last year.
The proposal to rename the district consisting of Ramanagara, Magadi, Kanakapura, Channapatna, and Harohalli taluks had gained steam recently with a Deputy CM D K Shivakumar-led delegation meeting with CM Siddaramaiah and submitting a memorandum to raise the pitch.