Bengaluru: Amajor political row has erupted over the construction of the Shimoga airport terminal in Karnataka. The Congress has objected to the lotus-shape design of the airport as it is the election symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who also hails from Shimoga district, aims to finish the construction of the airport terminal by the end of 2022.
Congress spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa said, “The airport terminal is lotus and is also a party symbol of the BJP. Delhi High Court has already in 2016 said public money can't be used to construct which resembles party symbols.”
The BJP, however, was quick to defend its decision. It said lotus was a national flower and had nothing to do with the BJP’s election symbol.
Shimoga airport is being constructed at Sogane on the outskirts of the city. The cost of airport construction is pegged at Rs 384 crore.
In February, BS Yediyurappa had visited the airport construction site and said, “The flight commencement should begin by next year-end and I have asked DC to work on priority. I will visit the airport every two months to do a status check.”
23/06/21 Nagarjun Dwarakanath/India Today
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