Decision on naming road after Siddaramaiah left to local administration, says Mahadevappa

H.C. Mahadevappa
| Photo Credit: File Photo

Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa, who is also the Minister in charge of Mysuru district on Sunday, said the decision on naming a stretch of road from Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy Temple in Vontikoppal to Royal Inn junction after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was left entirely to the local administration.

Reacting to queries from reporters on the issue, Mr. Mahadevappa made it clear that Mr. Siddaramaiah had not sought for the road to be named after him. “He does not aspire for it also. I don’t understand why the issue is unnecessarily making news,” he said.

Usually, decisions on naming a road after any personality in recognition of their contribution are made by the local administration. When asked for his decision on the issue as Minister in charge of the district, Mr. Mahadevappa said he had decided to leave the matter to the local administration.

However, apparently referring to the claims of the Opposition that a stretch of the road is already named ‘Princess’ Road, Mr. Mahadevappa pointed out that there is no need to change the name of the stretch if it has already been named. Mr. Siddaramaiah does not need it, he said.

‘High Command has not barred Cong. meetings’

When asked why the party leadership was barring ‘dinner meetings’ of the Congress Ministers and leaders, Mr. Mahadevappa clarified that the party High Command has not stayed any meetings.

He said a meeting will be held on Monday in the presence of All-India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Randeep Singh Surjewala. He said the party leaders will meet him and hold a discussion on the preparations for the centenary celebrations of the 1924 Congress session in Belagavi scheduled for January 21.

The celebrations scheduled for December 27 had been put off after the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

‘CM’s post not vacant’

Dismissing media speculation over the cancellation of conclaves by Congress Ministers as “unnecessary”, Mr. Mahadevappa said the Chief Minister’s post was not vacant.

“Mr. Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister and he will continue in the post. There is no discussion on the issue in the party,” he said.

Reacting to queries, Mr. Mahadevappa said meetings had been held earlier in the presence and absence of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and added that there was no need to attach special significance to it.

When asked about Mr. Shivakumar’s ambition to become Chief Minister, Mr. Mahadevappa said it was natural for people entering politics to aspire for the post. “But Congress is one and united,” he said.