Mysuru, 25 May

State BJP President BY Vijayendra on Sunday strongly the government’s decision to rename Ramanagara district as ‘Bengaluru South’, alleging the move was made to benefit the real estate mafia.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Vijayendra claimed the renaming serves no administrative purpose and was aimed at facilitating real estate growth around Bengaluru. He alleged that the decision revealed internal differences between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. “Though the Chief Minister was reportedly not in favour, the district was renamed to please the Shivakumar,” he said.

He further accused Congress leaders of being “allergic” to the name Ramanagara due to its association with Lord Rama.

Vijayendra also opposed the government’s appointment of actress Tamannaah Bhatia as brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap, produced by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd. “The State has many nationally and internationally recognised personalities. The government should clarify on whose recommendation her name was chosen — possibly Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s,” he alleged.

He added that the BJP has released a chargesheet highlighting the failures of the Congress government. “It has already shaken several Congress leaders, including Siddaramaiah. We will continue to expose their failures over the next three years,” he said.