Controversy has arisen over the “promise” of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to rename an upcoming metro station in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized this proposal and described it as an insult to Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Chief Minister of Karnataka recently said during an event at St. Mary Basilica in Shivajinagar that he recommended the Center to be named after St. Mary, the upcoming metro station. On this, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reacted sharply and condemned the scheme. Fadnavis said that I condemn the Karnataka government’s move to rename Shivajinagar Metro Station in Bangalore to the name of St. Mary. This is an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Also read this: Mandya Clashes increased Karnataka’s difficulties of Congress government, stress on Hindus during Ganesh immersion
Fadnavis alleged that the tradition of insulting the Maratha warrior king in the Congress has been since Nehru, who had commented against Shivaji Maharaj in his book Discovery of India. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra further said that he was praying that he would not proceed the scheme, which is based on religion and against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Maharashtra BJP MLC Chitra Wagh said that the move has revealed the hatred of the Congress towards Shivaji Maharaj. Wagh alleged that Congress MLA Rizwan (Arshad) has demanded that the Shivajinagar metro station in Bengaluru be renamed as St. Mary. He further said that Siddaramaiah has sent a proposal to the Center for the change of name. Wagh called upon Maharashtra Congress to clarify his position on the matter.
Also read this: Metro fare increased? Save from these digital tricks, easy ways to get 10% discount
Karnataka BJP leader Chalwari Narayan Swamy also criticized the scheme and claimed that appeasement has become the first choice of the Congress party. Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Swamy, said will he remove the name Shivajinagar? They should not go beyond their limits.