Bengaluru: Striving for an image makeover in the upcoming general elections, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has decided to rename Debt Relief Bill, ‘Badavara Bhandu’.

The scheme will enable one-time discharge of loans availed from moneylenders at high-interest rates across the state. The state government expected to promulgate an ordinance to implement this scheme. It can be recalled that 40 years ago, the then Chief Minister Devaraja Urs had implemented one such scheme which brought him immense popularity.

According to the sources, JDS think-tanks want to give the name Badavara Bhandu to this scheme as an image makeover exercise. “This scheme is definitely an image booster for the present government,” said a leader close to the HDK.