Siddaramaiah unveils MP Prakash statue, recalls legacy

Huvina Hadagali (Vijayanagara): “I was not as intelligent as MP Prakash. Yet, I became deputy chief minister before him. That remains one of the ironies of politics,” former chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday after unveiling a 10-ft bronze statue of the veteran leader at the Rangabharathi premises.The statue was unveiled at a programme organised to mark Prakash’s 86th birth anniversary by the Sri MP Prakash Pratishthana Trust, Rangabharathi and the Sri MP Prakash Samajamukhi Trust.Recalling his long association with Prakash, Siddaramaiah said the late leader was the first to propose his name when the Janata Dal discussed the chief minister’s post. He also remembered how Prakash stood by him after his expulsion from the Janata Party.Describing Prakash as an ajatashatru in politics, Siddaramaiah said leaders of his integrity would struggle to survive in today’s political climate. He noted that Prakash never indulged in caste politics or sought the support of religious seers to gain power. Had he done so, Siddaramaiah said, he might have scaled even greater political heights.Siddaramaiah said he had always wished to see Prakash become chief minister at least once.

He also credited him with showcasing Karnataka’s cultural heritage through initiatives such as the Hampi Utsav.The former chief minister also objected to remarks made by former minister G.Janardhana Reddy against Prakash, calling the criticism unwarranted.The programme began with Siddaramaiah and noted writer TN Seetharam ceremonially beating traditional drums. Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt, MP E Tukaram, MLAs Krishna Nayak, MP Latha, Annapurna Tukaram and Raghavendra Hitnal, former minister PT Parameshwara Naik, theatre artistes and several other dignitaries paid floral tributes to MP Prakash’s statue.