The renaming of Ramanagara as Bengaluru South has ignited significant concerns over potential confusion due to its overlap with Bengaluru South Lok Sabha constituency and Bengaluru South taluk under Bengaluru Urban district.
“The govt should consider replacing ‘South’ with a different name, perhaps ‘Dakshina’ to avoid confusion,” said a revenue department official.
The opposition BJP and JD(S) have accused deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar of pushing the proposal for political gain rather than enhancing Brand Bengaluru. It is likely to escalate an ongoing struggle between Shivakumar and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy for dominance of the Vokkaliga heartland. The renaming saga began in Oct last year when Shivakumar proposed the change, claiming it would honour sentiments of Ramanagara residents who were part of Bengaluru before 2007. He argued that the Bengaluru name would boost real estate and spur development.
Kumaraswamy, who was instrumental in creating Ramanagara district, vehemently opposed the move, threatening a fast-unto-death protest.
He accused Shivakumar of trying to inflate property prices for personal gain.
Initially neutral, BJP has framed the renaming as an attack on religious heritage due to Ramanagara’s links to Lord Ram. Critics see this as a classic case of politicians seeking to cement their legacies. “Shivakumar, aspiring to be CM, wants to be remembered as the one who changed Ramanagara’s name, endearing himself to Vokkaligas.
Kumaraswamy fears losing credit for creating the district,” said an MLA from the Old Mysuru region.
Sceptics dismiss Shivakumar’s claims of development. “It’s been 20 years since the district was formed, yet it remains a poor suburb,” said another MLA.
Shivanna, a resident of Ramanagara said: “Even the planned Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences campus and medical college remain on paper. The sericulture industry is declining. Who is responsible for this?”
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