BELAGAVI: CHIEF Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government will give separate district status to Gokak and Chikkodi division in Belagavi district only if Kannada organisations, Mathadishas, elected representatives come to an unanimous decision.
Speaking after receiving a memorandum in this regard from a delegation headed by Murugharajendra Swamy of Shunya Sampadana Muth to give a separate district nod to Gokak region, he said neither he nor his government was against giving separate district status to Gokak. However, the matter is pending due to opposition from a section who do not want the district to be divided until the border row between Karnataka and Maharahstra at Supreme Court is settled.
Siddaramaiah said both Gokak and Chikkod divisions would be made new districts only if all come to an unanimous decision. Siddaramaiah, who on the last day of the recently-held Legislature Session had said he would bifurcate the district at any cost, said he would hold discussion with Mathadishas, Kannada organisation, advocates, elected representtaives and people before taking a decision.
Muruigharajendra Swamy stressed on the need of giving separate district hood to Gokak as the region was growing and all the three commissions of establishing new districts in the state had recommended Gokak for a separate district.
Former minister and BJP MLA Balchandra Jarkiholi representing Arabhavi constituency said Gokak be made a separate district on administrative ground. Belagavi the biggest district with highest number of panchayats in the state must be bifurcated to help the people approach the government offices easily.
He also said there would be no harm to the integrity of the state if Belagavi was bifurcated.