BELAGAVI: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s recent statements against the larger interest of North Karnataka region are set to backfire as the stage is set for a massive agitation to be staged in front of Suvarna Soudha.
Seers and leaders of various organisations from North-Karnataka will protest against the continued neglect of the region. Leaders of Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti (UKHS) are ready with a separate North Karnataka flag which they plan to hoist on Tuesday, provided they get permission from prominent seers who will attend the dharna.
Although the dharna by more than 100 seers from different religious mutts of North Karnataka has gained massive support from local organisations, leaders from Hyderabad-Karnataka region are yet to rally behind it. However, many seers from noted mutts from Belagavi and Dharwad region have confirmed their participation and said they will pressure the government until it takes a decision for the development of North Karnataka.
UKHS state president Bheemappa Gadad, also an RTI activist, said, “Our prime objective is to urge the government to shift important offices from Bengaluru to Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi to make the soudha a power centre. The way the CM issued statements about North Karnataka clearly shows the lack of political will amongst leaders to make way for development of this region. We will not stop until the government changes its stance and focuses on development of North-Karnataka.”
“We will fully support the seers’ dharna tomorrow and want the government to take their demands seriously to avoid intense protests in the coming days,’’ UKHS general secretary Nagesh Golashetty said.
Gadad challenged the government to furnish records of funds so far released by all governments in the past to North and South Karnataka and said South Karnataka got the major share of funds in all sectors.
Govt must respond: Forum
Uttara Karnataka Vikas Vedike (UKVV), which is organising the seers’ dharna is confident that the government will wake up to respond to the seers’ demands for development of North-Karnataka. UKVV president Ashok Pujari said hundreds of seers will urge the government to bolster Suvarna Soudha which the government utilises only to hold a 10-day legislature session annually.
“North Karnataka will automatically develop once the government starts utilising the Soudha. Besides holding cabinet, the government should also hold legislature sessions and important programmes,” he said.
Not statehood, they want shifting of capital
Raichur: Jana Sangram Parishat held a press conference on Monday and said that they want Hospet, which is in the centre of Karnataka, to be the capital of the state. Raghavendra Kushtagi, leader of the Parishat hit out at BJP MLA Umesh Katti and said these BJP leaders have snatched technical universities from Hyderabad-Karnataka and now they say they want a new state. He said shifting the capital to Hospet will help people of Hyderabad-Karnataka to frequently travel and implement developmental programmes swiftly. Amravati is a fine example of a new capital, he said.
Forum opposes separate statehood demand
Kalaburagi: Hyderabad-Karnataka Kannadapara Sanghatanegal Okkuta opposed the Thursday’s bandh call by some organisations demanding separate statehood for North Karnataka. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, convener of the Okkuta Sachin Fartabad alleged leaders of Uttara Karnataka Pratteka Rajya Horata Samiti (North Karnataka Separate State Action Committee) has a selfish motto. “It has not come to the support of Hyderabad Karnataka when this region was going through tough times. It has not supported us in the agitation for amendment to Article 371 (J). Now, when we are reaping benefits of Article 371 (J), they are demanding a separate state,” Sachin alleged.