Karnataka Assembly passes resolution to rename 4 airports
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution recommending to the union government to rename four airports in the state after prominent personalities.
According to the resolution, the Hubballi airport will be named after Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna, Belagavi airport after Kittur Rani Chennamma, Shivamogga airport after Rashtrakavi Dr K V Puttappa (Kuvempu) and Vijayapura airport to be named after Sri Jagajyothi Basaveshwara. Rani Chennamma (1778–1829), the queen of erstwhile princely state of Kittur in Belagavi district, had fought against the British, and is remembered as a folk hero in Karnataka Sangolli Rayanna (1798-1831) was the army chief of the erstwhile Kittur Kingdom ruled by Rani Chennamma and fought against the British who hanged him to death from a Banyan tree near Nandagad in Belagavi district in 1831.
Kuppali Venkatappa (KV) Puttappa, one of the foremost personalities of Kannada literature. Popularly known as 'Kuvempu', he was first among the Kannada writers to be awarded with the prestigious Jnanpith Award for his work 'Sri Ramayana Darshanam'. Basaveshwara was a 12th century philosopher, social reformer and statesman who attempted to create a casteless society and fought against caste and religious discrimination. Popularly known as Basavanna, Lingayats -- one of Karnataka's politically dominant communities -- which is said to constitute about 17 per cent of the state's population, finds its origins with him. Piloting the resolution in the Assembly, Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil said the new names for the airports will be recommended to the union government. Meanwhile, BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar asked the government to include a proposal to name the Mangaluru airport after Koti Channaiah. However, Speaker UT Khader, who is MLA from Mangaluru said, there were also demands to name the airport after Veera Rani Abbakka, a Tuluva Queen of Ullal who fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century, and ''let's discuss this later...'' The Assembly also adopted a resolution urging the state government to construct a memorial to mark the centenary of the 39th session of the Congress held in Belagavi, under the Presidency of Mahatma Gandhi on December 26, 1924.
Responding to this private member's resolution moved by Belgaum Dakshin BJP MLA Abhay Patil, Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada & Culture Minister Shivanand Tangagadi said the government would make a provision for this in the 2024-25 Budget, and centre will also requested to release funds for the same.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
