Karnataka: Wadiyar scion, BJP & JDS disapprove of Siddaramaiah Jr's comments on Mysuru King

MLC Yathidra Siddaramaiah’s comments that his father, chief minister Siddaramaiah’s contribution to Mysuru region’s development equals or even outweighs that of Mysuru’s famed king Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar have drawn flak from the Opposition BJP and JDS and on social media, while the ruling Congress chose not to react.

The BJP and other social media posts have posted lists of Wadiyar’s lasting contribution to Mysuru as well as Karnataka’s development including the building of KRS dam, public sector units, Asia’s first hydel power project, and universities.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar (BJP) disapproved of Siddaramaiah Jr’s assessment, and said, “in today’s democracy, leaders entrusted with responsible authority must focus on the welfare and progress of the people in their constituencies, rather than engaging in politics by comparing themselves with the contributions of our great ancestors.”


The Mysuru royal scion added, “Whether it is a democracy or a monarchy, both systems provide an opportunity for public service. The true duty lies in performing that service with commitment and care, building a stable and progressive society. In their respective eras, the Maharajas of Mysore ruled according to the needs of the time and carried out remarkable development works.”

Opposition leader R Ashoka (BJP) said Wadiyar pawned the palace jewellery to raise money to build the KRS dam, while the CM’s family got itself 14 pricey plots in Mysuru that were meant for allotment to citizens. To have respect for one’s father was alright, but it becomes a butt of jokes to compare the CM with Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Ashoka said, while urging Yatindra to withdraw his comments. JDS said Yathindra must not compare his father with Wadiyar who was the architect of modern Karnataka and built Mysuru as a model city in the country.

The BJP said while people remembered Wadiyar for his farsighted development initiatives, citizens were cursing Siddaramaiah for the bad governance they have ended up with.

A comment on social media said Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was not just a ruler - he was a Rajarshi, a statesman who built institutions that still sustain Karnataka.

This is not the first time the CM’s son was shooting off his mouth. In a video that went viral, he was seen objecting to the posting of an official while talking to his father on the phone.