Minister Parameshwara clarifies he did not propose renaming or merging Tumakuru with Bengaluru

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified on Wednesday that he did not propose merging Tumakuru with Bengaluru or renaming it Bengaluru North..Parameshwara, who is also the Minister in charge of Tumakuru, said he was only referring to a concept aimed at promoting the district as part of the Bengaluru region to attract investment.What I said about Tumakuru was just a concept.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified on Wednesday that he did not propose merging Tumakuru with Bengaluru or renaming it ''Bengaluru North.''.

Parameshwara, who is also the Minister in charge of Tumakuru, said he was only referring to a concept aimed at promoting the district as part of the Bengaluru region to attract investment.

''What I said about Tumakuru was just a concept. Did I say Tumakuru's name should be changed? Neither Tumakuru's name nor its boundaries will be changed. It will remain as it is,'' Parameshwara told reporters.

''The concept is that if it is considered part of Bengaluru, people living in the US, UK, or other countries may think about investing here. That's all. We are not changing anything; not even a stick will be moved,'' he added.

Responding to questions that his earlier remarks were being interpreted as a proposal to rename Tumakuru, he clarified, ''Definitely not. Earlier, I was criticised for misrepresenting my statement on this issue, but nothing will be changed regarding Tumakuru's name.''.

Addressing an event on Tuesday marking the Congress government's three years in office, Parameshwara had pointed out that Tumakuru district is very close to Bengaluru, located about 60 km away.

He had suggested that Tumakuru could be integrated into the Bengaluru region, stating, ''Just like Ramanagara was made Bengaluru South by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Tumakuru should be declared Bengaluru North.''.

His remarks drew sharp reactions from various sections.

BJP Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan said in a post on X, ''The Karnataka Home Minister has proposed renaming Tumakuru, nearly 70 km from Bengaluru, as Bengaluru North. At this rate, Mangaluru may become Bengaluru Beachfront, Kalaburagi Bengaluru Far East, Kodagu Bengaluru Hill Station, and the entire state may become Greater Bengaluru Area.''.

Noting that the Delhi NCR includes Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram in Haryana without renaming them, the Minister said this was not a new concept, and there was no need for misunderstanding.

''Nothing will be changed in Tumakuru; not even a stick will be removed. Tumakuru and Tumakuru taluk will remain as they are. The intention is to promote the idea that the district is part of Bengaluru to attract investment and develop Tumakuru. There is no other intention behind it,'' he added.