Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly endorsed a demand to rename the Government Engineering College at Hoovina Hadagali after the late minister M.P. Prakash during the 86th birth‑anniversary celebrations on Saturday. The move, announced after unveiling Prakash’s statue, is positioned as a fitting tribute to a leader whose career was defined by honesty, secularism, and an unwavering commitment to public service.

Historical Context

M.P. Prakash, who passed away fifteen years ago, was renowned for his scholarly demeanor and principled politics. In the early 2000s, while both were part of the Janata Dal (Secular), Prakash famously put forward Siddaramaiah’s name for the chief ministerial post, demonstrating a self‑less approach rarely seen in Indian state politics. This gesture highlighted his dedication to merit over personal ambition.

Siddaramaiah’s Remarks

Speaking at the event, Siddaramaiah described Prakash as “a gentleman, a statesman, and an ajata shatru—an enemy of corruption—who never wavered from his ideals.” He emphasized that Prakash never leveraged caste or religious identities for political mileage, choosing instead to champion secular values and social justice.

Contributions to Governance and Education

Prakash’s deep love for books and scientific temper made him one of Karnataka’s most well‑read politicians. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of government departments, enabling him to debate any subject effectively in cabinet meetings or the assembly. Notably, when Siddaramaiah handled the state finances, it was Prakash, then Minister for Kannada and Culture, who persuaded him to allocate funds for the Hampi Utsav, a cultural festival that boosted tourism and heritage preservation.

Implications of the Renaming

Should the state government approve the proposal, the institution will be officially renamed M.P. Prakash Engineering College. Beyond a symbolic gesture, the renaming is expected to embed Prakash’s values of integrity, scientific inquiry, and secularism into the college’s ethos, influencing generations of engineers. It also signals a broader shift in Karnataka’s political narrative—one that rewards ethical leadership over electoral expediency.