BENGALURU: In a major reversal of its decision against installation of statues in public places, the state government on Tuesday announced its decision to inaugurate statues of Kanakadasa and the late Mr Kyasamballi Chengalaraya Reddy, the first CM of Mysore state, in the vicinity of Vidhana Soudha.
Transport minister, H.M. Revanna, told the media about the government’s decision to release Rs two crore for a 12-feet-high bronze statue of Kanakadasa with the unveiling scheduled for the second week of February.
Besides, the government has in principle acceded to a request for the statue of Mr Reddy, and the site would be finalized soon, he added. Today’s announcements are contrary to a statement made by Kannada and culture minister, Umashree, in the Legislative Council, during the recent winter session of legislature in Belagavi.
Replying to a question in the upper House, Ms Umashree had stated that the apex court had imposed restrictions on installation of statues in public places and therefore it would not be possible for the government to install Mr Reddy’s statue near Vidhana Soudha. The government, however, had released Rs two crores for construction of a memorial in Kyasamballi village, Kolar district, as a mark of respect for the first Chief Minister of Mysore state, the minister had informed Dr Jayamala.
