If elected, JD(S) to name Devanahalli Road after Tipu Sultan

The Devanahalli Road leading to Bengaluru International Airport will be named after Tipu Sultan, if the JD(S) is elected to power, said JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in Bangalore, on Saturday.

At a programme organised to mark the Tipu Sultan Jayantotsava celebrations organised by his party, Kumaraswamy said he would draw up programmes and schemes for the welfare of the Muslim community. His party, he said, had reflected the “Tipu era” during its rule in the State.

Kumaraswamy also attacked his bete noir B S Yeddyurappa for his sudden affinity towards the Muslim community.

“During the coalition rule, when Yeddyurappa was the finance minister, he had taken strong objection to the proposal to set aside Rs 120 crore as Muslim Welfare Fund.

Volte-face

He had stated that he was answerable to the RSS. Today, he is inviting Muslims into his party. Why the sudden concern towards the community, at this juncture,” he questioned.

JD(S) MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan demanded that the international airport be named after Tipu Sultan and the Congress party had not taken the proposal of the Muslims seriously. He said senior Congress leader S M Krishna had, instead, been pressurising the Centre to name the airport after Kempe Gowda.

Kumaraswamy, however, clarified that the issue of naming the international airport rested with the Centre, and the State had no authority over the matter.