MLC Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah stirred a political debate by stating that the developmental contributions of his father, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, are on par with or even greater than those of Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. His remarks came during a media interaction in Mysuru on Friday, while addressing criticism about the recently held Sadhana Samavesha, led by the CM.
The comment has raised eyebrows, as Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, often honoured as a “Rajarshi” (sage-king) by Mahatma Gandhi, holds a revered position in Karnataka’s history. He ruled the erstwhile Mysuru state — now comprising 14 present-day Karnataka districts — from 1902 to 1940, a period widely acknowledged as a “golden era.” His reign is celebrated for pioneering reforms in education, irrigation, transport, industry, science, and social inclusion, bringing all communities into the fold of progress.
Responding to critics of the Sadhana Samavesha, Dr. Yathindra defended the rally, stating it was justified by Siddaramaiah’s massive budgetary allocations to Mysuru’s growth during both his 2013–2018 and current terms. He dismissed opposition backlash as driven by envy, asserting, “The rally highlighted real achievements. The criticism stems from political jealousy.”
While supporters of the CM backed Yathindra’s claims, many political observers and historians believe such comparisons with Nalvadi Wadiyar’s historic legacy may be premature and contentious, potentially polarizing public sentiment in the culturally rich region of Mysuru.