'He promised 10 years ago': Vokkaliga group wants Namma Metro renamed after Kempegowda

Bengaluru: The Vishwa Vokkaligara Maha Vedike has called for “Namma Metro” to be renamed as “Namma Kempegowda Metro.”

Members of the Vokkaliga community gathered at VV Puram College of Science on Saturday, urging the state government to change the name of the metro system. 

The call has been made in light of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent announcements to name the project after prominent Kannada figures Basavanna and Valmiki, at the valedictory ceremony of the “Basava Culture Campaign 2025” on October 5 and Valmiki Jayanti celebrations on October 7, respectively. 

“The announcement by the chief minister was unfair. He had, in fact, made a promise 10 years ago to consider naming the metro Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Metro. But when the name Namma Metro was finalised, we were okay with it as it was a neutral name. But now, when there are talks about renaming the metro after Valmiki and Basavanna, we’re just reminding the government about their promise,” said Ashwath Narayana Gowda, general secretary of the association. 

A press note released by the association read, “Basavanna is the pioneer of Kannada culture and Valmiki is a historian, but the father of this beautiful city, the one who actually built it, is Nadaprabhu Kempegowda… Kempegowda is a secularist who has provided opportunities to the people of all castes and religions. We are requesting the chief minister not to give in to political pressure and make empty promises to everyone who asks. He should carefully consider and name the existing metro as ‘Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Metro.” 

General Secretary of State Vokkaligara Sangha, T Konappa Reddy, and Kenchappa Gowda, president of the state association, were also present at the gathering, along with Uday B Garudachar, Chickpet MLA.