Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders gathered in Bengaluru on Saturday, 27 June to mark the 517th birth anniversary of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the 16th-century chieftain credited with founding the city, reaffirming that his urban vision continues to shape Bengaluru's identity on the world stage. The celebrations, organised by the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Pratishthana at the Kempegowda Border Tower Park in Sadashivanagar, drew senior party figures and civic dignitaries alike.

Vijayendra Highlights Legacy and State Initiatives

BJP Karnataka State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra addressed the gathering after felicitating social worker R.P. Ravishankar. He said it was a matter of pride that Kempegowda's vision had made Bengaluru a city recognised not just across India but internationally. 'The fact that people continue to remember and celebrate Kempegowda even 517 years after his birth reflects the immense contribution he made to Bengaluru and the state,' Vijayendra said.

He recalled that during the tenure of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the state government had sanctioned ₹50 crore for establishing a Kempegowda Study Centre, aimed at ensuring the founder's legacy gained recognition beyond Karnataka and India. Vijayendra added that the Yediyurappa government had also allocated funds for Kempegowda's statue and directed the development of a dedicated theme park.

Airport Naming and Statue of Prosperity

Vijayendra noted that it was Yediyurappa who firmly decided that naming the Bengaluru International Airport after Nadaprabhu Kempegowda would be the most fitting tribute when the matter was under discussion. Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan echoed this, praising Yediyurappa for the airport naming and recalling that during his second tenure, Yediyurappa approved construction of the 108-foot-tall Statue of Prosperity near the airport.

Ashwath Narayan detailed the financial allocations: ₹65 crore for the statue, ₹20 crore for the theme park, and ₹10 crore for acquiring land around Kempegowda's memorial. He also noted that funds had been released for the Kempegowda Study Centre at Bengaluru University. He described the initiative of collecting soil from villages across Karnataka for the statue project as 'visionary and heartfelt.'

Union Minister Kumaraswamy Pays Tribute on X

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy took to social media platform X to pay his respects. 'I pay my respectful tributes with deep reverence and pride to Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda, the visionary founder of the world-renowned city of Bengaluru and an able administrator,' he wrote. Kumaraswamy added: 'The seed of development sown by Nadaprabhu more than five centuries ago has today grown into a mighty tree. His vision, governance and foresight in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, trade, urban planning and holistic development continue to inspire us.'

Bommai, Other Leaders Extend Greetings

Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai also offered greetings, stating: 'May the ideals of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the visionary founder who laid the strong foundation for Bengaluru and realised a far-sighted vision of governance and development, continue to inspire us always.' Among those present at the event were Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President Shivaramegowda, Manjunath, Dr. Rajesh, Jayapal, Sumangala Keshav, and several other dignitaries.

The celebrations underscored the BJP's consistent positioning of Kempegowda as a symbol of Kannada pride and urban foresight — a narrative the party has reinforced through infrastructure investments bearing his name. With the Kempegowda Study Centre still being established, the institutionalisation of his legacy remains a work in progress.