The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has suggested that a stretch of road between Sri Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy Temple Circle and Royal Inn Junction be named “Siddaramaiah Arogya Marg.” This has come under much flak, particularly from the opposition party Janata Dal (Secular) or JDS. The proposal has been kept open for public suggestions for 30 days.
The JDS has strongly opposed the move, alleging that it reflects political favoritism rather than civic merit. They have criticized the MCC, pointing out that it currently operates without an elected board and the officials in charge have been appointed by the state government. The party accuses these officials of repaying political debts by endorsing the naming proposal.
In a social media post on X, JDS expressed its dissent, terming the proposal as inappropriate. The party said, “The decision of the Mysore Metropolitan Corporation to name the KRS Road in the historic city of Mysore as ‘Siddaramaiah Arogya Marg’ is condemnable. The accused A1, who illegally obtained a site in Muda and cheated, is facing trial in the court and Lokayukta.”
ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಮೈಸೂರು ನಗರದ ಕೆಆರ್ಎಸ್ ರಸ್ತೆಗೆ “ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮಾರ್ಗ” ಎಂದು ಹೆಸರಿಡಲು ಹೊರಟಿರುವ ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಹಾನಗರ ಪಾಲಿಕೆಯ ತೀರ್ಮಾನ ಖಂಡನೀಯ.
ಮುಡಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಸೈಟು ಪಡೆದು ವಂಚಿಸಿರುವ A1 ಆರೋಪಿ, 420 @siddaramaiah ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಲೋಕಾಯುಕ್ತದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಚಾರಣೆ ಎದುರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಹಾನಗರ… pic.twitter.com/niNXUOmVRc
— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) December 24, 2024
The controversy arose as it is being alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is undergoing legal action pertaining to the Mysore Urban Development Authority scam. The JDS questioned how a public road could be named after someone currently under judicial scrutiny.
JDS further emphasized its dissatisfaction by stating that naming the road after Siddaramaiah is an insult to the historical significance of Mysuru. The party commented, “There is no elected board in the Mysore Metropolitan Corporation. The officials appointed by the government have decided to name the road after Siddaramaiah to repay his debt.”
Adding to its criticism, JDS reiterated that Siddaramaiah’s alleged involvement in corrupt practices disqualifies him from such an honor. The party stated, “Naming a road after the corrupt Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has swallowed up Muda, is a betrayal and insult not only to the historic city of Mysore but also to the entire state.”
The proposal has stirred public attention and, indeed, a political debate. As the MCC invited public inputs, opposition parties said decisions like this must not dent the values and legacy of a historic city like Mysuru as citizens and political stakeholders weigh in on the issue.
