Bengaluru, 12 August

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the government was ready to name the now axed Bettahalasur Metro Station after MLA Munirathna if he sponsored the station.

During the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, BJP MLA Munirathna asked whether the government dropped the Bettahalasur Metro Station in the airport line because the Embassy Group withdrew sponsorship.

“As per the norms, it is allowed to name the station after a company if they sponsor the construction with CSR funds,” Shivakumar said. “Munirathna has about 70-80 acres of land there and hence he needs a metro station.”

Munirathna pressed the Deputy Chief Minister further, “If Shivakumar makes a call to Embassy builders, they will make the payment in 24 hours. Builders in Bengaluru only listen to him.”

Shivakumar retorted, “Self interest is natural. Embassy has about 250 acres and they were willing to pay Rs 120 of the total cost of Rs 140 crores to brand the metro station there. They have given only Rs 1 crore till now. We will build the station and name it after Munirathna if he pays for it.”

Opposition Leader R Ashoka intervened. “Munirathna is only saying that the DyCM must pressure Embassy to pay the balance amount,” he said.

“Why should I pressure them?” Shivakumar scoffed. “If needed, we will cancel the agreement and go ahead and name the station ‘Munirathna and Co’ if he is willing to sponsor it.”