Ramanagara is located about 50 kilometers from Bengaluru

It comprises Magadi, Kanakapura, Channapatna, and Harohalli taluks

Kumaraswamy has threatened to go on a hunger strike if renaming proceeds

In a significant administrative shift, the Karnataka government has decided to rename the Ramanagara district to Bengaluru South. This decision was finalized during a recent Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved renaming Ramanagara as Bengaluru South district.#Ramanagara #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/FMtURozJrR

— NewsFirst Prime (@NewsFirstprime) July 26, 2024

Located about 50 kilometers from Bengaluru, the district comprises Ramanagara, Magadi, Kanakapura, Channapatna, and Harohalli taluks. The proposal gained momentum when Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also serves as the Minister in charge of Ramanagara and Bengaluru City Development, presented a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, advocating for the renaming.

Also read: Will DK Shivakumar be the Congress candidate for Channapatna by-election?

Ramanagara holds personal significance for DK Shivakumar, who initially proposed the renaming in October last year. However, the move faced opposition from former JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. Kumaraswamy criticized the proposal, alleging it aims to exploit real estate opportunities in Ramanagara. He vowed to reverse the renaming if he regains the Chief Minister position.

In response to Kumaraswamy’s comments, Siddaramaiah retorted, “First of all, they won’t come to power. So him reversing it is an illusion.”

Kumaraswamy, who has threatened to go on a hunger strike if the renaming proceeds, has deep political roots in Ramanagara, having represented the region in various political capacities. The renaming proposal has gained heightened significance ahead of the upcoming Channapatna Assembly bypolls, for which the date is yet to be announced.