Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad and musician R.K. Padmanabha are among the 100 who will get the Kempe Gowda award, instituted by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Political pressure ensured the number of awardees swelling to 100 from 75 late Friday, though the cash-strapped BBMP had resolved to keep it small.
According to sources, 100 applications were shortlisted from 200. Of these, 75 were chosen. However, additions were made following hectic lobbying by politicians. The awards will be given away on Saturday by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Dr. Rajkumar Glass House in the BBMP headquarters.
