Mysuru will be ready for Dasara by September 25, says Somanna

MYSURU: All the projects slated for execution as part of the preparations for the Mysuru Dasara celebrations would be completed before September 25; these included all the civic projects, said Mysuru district in-charge minister V Somanna here on Friday.
“Naada Habba will start from September 29. So, I have directed all the officials to ensure that the city is ready for the annual fete by September 25. A slew of events are being organised in the city as part of the festival, and the officials are working in the earnest to make the event a success,” said Somanna.
The minister said that he was keen on inviting Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the festivities. “She represents Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha. I will also invite Union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar,” said Somanna, reaffirming that an invitation had been extended to world badminton champion PV Sindhu for inaugurating the sports meet and Yuva Dasara. However, Somanna said that they were yet to decide on a performance by singer Amrutha Devendra Fadnavis, who also happens to be Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wife.
Meanwhile, the office of the Mysore urban Development Authority’s chairman will serve as the district in-charge minister’s chambers for the time being.
‘HDK must count himself lucky to have been the CM twice’
A day after former CM and senior JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy questioned Somanna’s focus on the Mysuru Dasara celebrations – Kumaraswamy asked Somanna if the latter was minister for Dasara – the Mysuru district in-charge minister said that he did not need the former CM’s counsel.
Reminding Kumaraswamy of his experience in politics, Somanna said, “I became an MLA in 1983. Kumaraswamy entered politics only in 1996. He was lucky he became the CM twice.”
Justifying his investment in the Naada Habba celebrations, Somanna said that the paucity of time had prompted him to channel his energies towards ensuring the festival’s success. “I am consulting elected representatives cutting across party lines. Former minister and JD(S) leader GT Devegowda, who helmed the celebrations last year, is among those who is helping me. What is wrong? If Kumaraswamy wants to offer a few suggestions, I am more than willing to consider them. Dasara is a people’s festival. I will not react to remarks from my political opponents till the Dasara celebrations conclude,” Somanna added.
Former minister and senior JD(S) leader SR Mahesh, however, defended Kumaraswamy. “The former CM did not criticise Somanna for holding as many meetings on Dasara celebrations. What Kumaraswamy was suggesting was that Somanna could delegate responsibilities for conducting the festival to the officials and turn his energies towards lending a hand to those in the flood-affected areas in North Karnataka. Why is Somanna taking such a suggestion in a negative vein?” Mahesh asked.