Cong leader welcomes Simha backing road renaming decision

NT Correspondent

Mysuru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesperson M Lakshmana on Thursday welcomed the statement of former MP and BJP leader Pratpa Simha defending Mysuru City Corporation's decision to rename the stretch from Lakshminarayana temple to Metagalli Royal Inn junction circle on KRS Road after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to reporters, he also appreciated the former MP for telling the truth about CM Siddaramaiah's contributions for improvement of Mysuru, particularly health care infrastructure facilities in his home district. The BJP has no moral right to oppose the renaming of the stretch after the CM when they have already named various roads after former CM B S Yediyurapa who is an accused in a POCSO case, he said. He hailed the CM for the release of a total Rs 1569 crore for improvement of health care facilities on this stretch including establishment of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Centre, Hitech Panchakarma, Charaka Hospital, Kidwai Cancer unit, new district super speciality hospital and a trauma care centre while a NIMHANS unit is expected to come up shortly on this stretch.

Lakshman claimed that BY Vijayendra will be made to step down as party state unit chief after January because of the CT Ravi episode. He also criticized the Panchamasali Veerashaiva Lingayat Pontiff Basava Mrityunjaya Swamiji for not coming to the support of his community's lone women minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar when she was insulted by BJP MLC CT Ravi during the recent Council session at Belagavi.