BENGALURU: Mayor
M Goutham Kumar
clarified on Wednesday that there was no plan to revoke the decision to name a traffic intersection in north Bengaluru after the 18th-century Mysuru ruler
Tipu Sultan.
The intersection in question is Bellahalli Circle in Yelahanka zone’s Jakkur ward.
Goutham Kumar was forced to make the statement after opposition members in the BBMP council held a dharna to protest an attempt by him on Tuesday to seek a fresh proposal for naming the junction.
“Tuesday’s development on the issue was an error. BBMP commissioner will take appropriate decision (sic),” he said.
Abdul Wajid, leader of the opposition in the BBMP council, said a BJP corporator had proposed naming Bellahalli Circle after Tipu. “How can the mayor reverse the council’s decision without having any discussion. According to the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, a decision of the council can be changed only if two-thirds of the members submit it in writing. The mayor cannot decide on such issues on his own,” Wajid said.
In January last year, the council, which was then ruled by Congress-JD(S) coalition, had approved the
Tipu Circle plan
. KA Muneendra Kumar, leader of the ruling party in the council, said on Wednesday that many residents of Jakkur ward wanted the circle to be named after a Dalit personality as the area had a large representation from the community.