State govt's decision to rename Indira canteens evokes sharp response from Cong

Bengaluru: The state government is likely to rename all the Indira canteens set up outside of Bengaluru as Maharshi Valmiki Anna Kutira and Revenue Minister R Ashoka has already issued a statement with this regard.

Speaking to presspersons, Ashoka said, “There are around 250 Indira canteens set up outside of Bengaluru, all these canteens will be renamed after Maharshi Valmiki Anna Kutira. The decision to rename the canteens was made based on a suggestion by Shorapur MLA Narasimha Nayak.”

Upon excluding the canteens in Bengaluru, Ashoka said, “I do not handle the Bengaluru department portfolio. However, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa will make the decision in this regard.”

Meanwhile, the government’s decision to rename all the Indira canteens set up outside of Bengaluru evoked a sharp response from the Congress party.

Speaking with this regard, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “The BJP government intention to rename shows that they are playing cheap politics. Indira Gandhi was a leader of the nation and not restricted to Congress. We are proud of Maharshi Valmiki, but it is a shame that BJP is replacing the name to Maharshi Valmiki for political gains.”