Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Dec 18: The Karnataka government has been contemplating to change the name of Indira canteens across state, ever since it assumed power in July this year. Now rumours are abuzz that the Indira canteens will be renamed as Maharishi Valmiki Anna canteens, after the sage who authored Ramayana.
Revenue Minister R Ashok told media on Tuesday that BJP MLA Rajugouda from Shorapur constituency had approached him with a request to change the name of the Indira Canteens and name it after Maharishi Valmiki.
“If we change the name, it will be applicable in areas outside Bengaluru as well,” Ashok said but added that decision has not yet been taken and chief minister Yediyurappa’s approval is needed before officially changing the name.
Political analysts believe that Karnataka BJP’s aim to change the name of Indira Canteen is a move to take control of Congress strongholds in the state.
The move is aimed to appease Valmiki Nayak community, which has traditionally voted for Congress. The ST community has a large presence in Belagavi, Ballari, Yadagir, Bagalkote and Vijaypura.
It was Ramesh Jarkiholi, a member of the Valmiki Nayak community that sparked the MLA exodus. He then joined the BJP and managed to convince his constituents to re-elect him.
By renaming the Indira Canteen after sage Valmiki, BJP is trying to gain the community’s trust and hence break the Congress vote bank, analysts point out.
Meanwhile, former CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah in a series of tweets, condemned the move of changing the name of Indira Canteens and asked BJP to not play ‘petty politics’. However, he maintained that he has great respect for sage Valmiki.