Mysuru: Mysuru – Kodagu MP Pratap Simha has responded to the criticism expressed by opposition leaders after the name change of Tipu Express train. He justified his decision by saying that he changed Tipu’s name on purpose.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Wednesday October 12 he said that let me tell you the hundred contributions that the Mysuru Wodeyar dynasty Maharajas gave to Mysuru. He challenged Tipu Sultan’s supporters to mention the three contributions that Tipu gave to the State.

He said What is the relationship between Tipu and Mysuru? Is Tipu from Mysuru? He is from Srirangapattana. The contribution of the kings in the development that took place in Mysuru are by Wodeyars only and not by Tipu. He said that there is no instance of changing the name of a train so far. But I have deliberately changed it. We need not learn from Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who speaks in singular about King of Mysuru. Tipu’s name cannot be removed from people’s minds, people are forgetting the leaders who saying this. There is also an example for that. I have brought 10 trains to Mysuru. He justified his decision by saying that he has achieved something that no other MP of this country has done in 10 years.

He further said, “Tipu was anti-Kannada, and Tipu imposed Persian language. The word diwan is also a Persian word. Every word in Revenue Department is from Persian language. Even so, Siddaramaiah forgets that the university he studied at (Mysore University) was built by the Mysuru Maharajas. He dismissed the allegations against him saying that he does not want lessons from Siddaramaiah.