Legislators want the facility to be named after the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

‘Amma’ canteens in Tamil Nadu may have inspired Karnataka to launch ‘Namma canteens’, but the Congress leadership in the State is keen on giving its own political twist to the low-cost eateries.

Congress legislators want the canteens to be named after the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, by calling it Namma Indira Canteens.

Aimed at cementing a pro-poor image for the Congress government ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections in 2018, legislators, at the Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting on Wednesday, proposed Indira Gandhi’s name to be included as she had launched the ‘Garibi-Hatao’ campaign in the 1970s. Since the metro rail is named Namma Metro, the legislators argued that there was no point in calling the canteens ‘Namma Canteens’. They felt the need to use a different trademark to win people’s hearts of the people of the city, which has 28 Legislative Assembly constituencies.

Acknowledging that the AIADMK reaped rich dividends from Amma Canteens in the elections in Tamil Nadu, Congress legislators urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to name the canteens in 198 wards after Indira Gandhi, who also used the election slogan ‘Roti, kapda aur makaan’.

The demand had unanimous support at the CLP meeting presided by Mr. Siddaramaiah. City legislators S.T. Somashekar and Munirathna took the lead in demanding for the change in name.

In the State Budget, Mr. Siddaramaiah announced the establishment of Namma Canteens in 198 wards in the city. The Chief Minister has assured that he will consider their plea and announce a decision soon.

Later, speaking to media persons, Food and Civil Supplies Minister U.T. Khader said legislators had unanimously supported the proposal. Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George has been given the responsibility of identifying locations, he said.

Breakfast will be served at ₹5 a plate and lunch and dinner a plate will cost ₹10 each in the canteens.