Chief Minister Basavara Bommai had earlier said that the state government would propose to the Center to name the airport after BS Yediyurappa. , Photo Credit: PTI
Former chief minister BS Yediyurappa has said the state government will send a proposal to the Center to name the Shivamogga airport after 20th-century poet and novelist Kuvempu, the first Kannada writer to receive the prestigious Jnanpith award.
Mr Yediyurappa told reporters in Shivamogga on Sunday that the state legislature would unanimously propose the name of Kuvempu for the airport. “I will propose the name in tomorrow’s (Monday) session. The state government will send the proposal to the Center after taking the support of all the parties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to inaugurate the airport on 27 February. He will announce the name after inaugurating the airport. “Kuvempu gave the Vishwamanava Sandesh (the message of the Universal Man). Shri Modi is working towards making the message of Kuvempu a reality. He also believes in the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam principle.
Kuvempu was a native of Kuppally in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district. He was born on December 29, 1904. He wrote poems, novels, essays, short stories, autobiographies and literary criticism. He won Jnanpith in 1967 for his epic Sri Ramayana Darshanam, his novels Kanuru Heggadithi And Malegalalli madumagalu Considered to be one of the greatest works of fiction.
Earlier, some BJP leaders from Shivamogga, including former minister KSEshwarappa, had suggested naming the airport after Mr Yediyurappa, who represents Shikaripur in the state assembly. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also supported the suggestion, saying that it was because of Mr Yediyurappa that Shivamogga could have an airport. However, in April 2022, Mr. Yediyurappa suggested that the Chief Minister reconsider his decision.
During his visit to Shivamogga on February 8, Mr. Bommai reiterated that the government had approved Mr. Yediyurappa’s name for the airport despite opposition from the former chief minister. He said that the state government would soon send a proposal in this regard to the Centre. Meanwhile, an online campaign has been launched against naming the airport after Mr Yediyurappa. Many suggested naming the airport after Kuvempu.