BENGALURU: The naming of a circle opposite Infant Jesus Church in Anepalya, Shantinagar assembly constituency, after local Congress MLA NA Haris on Friday drew flak. As the resentment grew, the plaque announcing the name was silently pulled down in the evening.
The circle, which formally bore no name but was referred to as Ambedkar Circle, was named after Haris on Friday by a few ‘local residents’, who are the MLA’s supporters from Samatha Nagar and Ambedkar Nagar. The circle is located along the road linking the two localities.
Earlier in the mor ning, a granite plaque bearing a picture of Haris and announcing it as Haris Circle was installed at the spot. The naming was not brought to the notice of BBMP. “According to the KMC Act, if a road has to be renamed, people must submit a letter to the BBMP commissioner, after which it will have to be discussed in the council. Once the bill is passed in the council, the request letter will be submitted to the government and on receiving approval, the road can be renamed,” explained a senior official from BBMP’s road and infrastructure wing.
Haris, however, said he had no idea about naming of the circle. “If people name a road or circle in my name, I can’t help it. I have not suggested they do that,” he said. “People would have done something like this only because they are happy with my work...,” Haris said, adding: “Many people have used my name to name their children, homes, stores etc. I can’t stop them, right?”
Gaurav Gupta, BBMP administrator, who is in-charge of the city in the absence of the elected council whose term lapsed, said he didn’t approve the renaming.
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Manjunatha Prasad, BBMP commissioner, said he too was shocked. “It is not acceptable. Without the council’s approval, no road can be renamed and we will issue notices to these culprits,” Prasad said. With the plaque gone, the controversy appeared to have got a quick burial.