Kannada Development Authority (KDA) would write to leaders of all national and regional parties to show their commitment towards the development of Kannada in their election manifestos for the coming Assembly polls, said KDA president Mukhyamantri Chandru.
Addressing a news conference on Saturday, he said the manifesto should highlight the preference for Kannadigas in employment, as the medium of instruction and the cent per cent implementation of Kannada as an administrative language.
“They need to show their concern by promising to work for the betterment of Kannada and tickets should be given to only those who know the language,” he said.
Indirectly referring to Umesh Katti who has been demanding a separate state for North Karnataka, Chandru said those who talk of dividing the state, should not be given tickets to contest.
Chandru said he would write to CM Jagadish Shettar to provide infrastructure to Kannada primary schools, impetus on the programme to bring children back to school and improve quality government schools. “The Education Department should be given additional 20 per cent funds to improve schools. Many government schools are facing closure due to lack of basic infrastructure,” he added.