CHENNAI: Following the Karnataka government's recent decision to name the airport that will be built in Shivamogga after veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, he has demanded that the airport be named after any prominent personality of the state.

On April 20, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai declared that the airport in Sogane, Shivamogga, will be named after the former chief minister and that he would submit a proposal to the Civil Aviation Ministry of the Government of India in this regard.  On April 24, Yediyurappa wrote a letter to Bommai in this regard.

"I am touched by Chief Minister Bommai's decision to rename the Shivamogga airport in my honour." With all humility, I urge that the airport be named after any memorable personality of Karnataka which will be a befitting tribute to their contribution. Yediyurappa said in a tweet.

The government's choice to name the airport after the state BJP strongman drew significant criticism, with some, including members of the opposition, pointing out that the area had other notable figures who merit the honour.

Yediyurappa's political base is Shivamogga; he is an MLA from the district's Shikaripura Assembly seat, and his elder son BY Raghavendra is an MP from the Shivamogga parliamentary constituency.

Thanking the Chief Minister for his assurance that funds would be released immediately to expedite the completion of the airport project and expressing gratitude to him and other leaders for the decision to name it after him, Yediyurappa wrote in his letter that there have been many patriots and visionaries who have contributed to the country's development and that his contribution is insignificant in comparison.

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