BJP stoking separatist sentiments: DK Shivakumar

Agencies

July 30, 2018

Bengaluru, Jul 30: Karnataka water resources minister DK Shivakumar accused the BJP of trying to fuel separatist sentiments, as he termed the demand for separate north Karnataka state as a "conspiracy" for political gains.

The senior Congress leader also said the coalition government was committed for the all round development of "akhanda Karnataka" (united Karnataka).

"There is no question of Congress or JD(S) supportingseparate state demand, it is united Karnataka.

BJP is trying to do it. I appeal....this is a progressive state, the statecommands respect at the national and international level," Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters, he said "Some people for political gains are speaking about it as they are getting opportunity to speak in front of media. It is a conspiracy todivide the state.I condemn it."

Shivakumar's comments comes a day after BJP MLA Sriramulu backed those demanding separate statehood for North Karnataka, but subsequently retracted,saying he never supported division of the state.

A day-long bandh has been called by some outfits in 13districts of north Karnataka on August 2 demanding statehood or the region, alleging discrimination by successive governments towards it.

Shivakumar said some BJP leaders from Belagavi had earlier spoken about separate state, which was condemned.

The minister came to Kumaraswamy's defence over his allegedremarks questioning people and farmers of north Karnataka for not voting his party, by saying "the chiefminister was analysing about where JD(S) did not get votes."

"Whether it is budget or programmes for the poor, it is for united Karnataka. This coalition government is for the all round development of the state and we will work together for it," he added.

Accusing BJP of viewing things with "jaundiced eyes," Shivakumar dubbed BJP's ongoing padayatra(march) demanding complete waiver of all farm loans as a move aimed at "misleading" the people.

Claiming that outsiders and not real farmers were part of the march, he said "just by wrapping themselves with green towel, people cannot become farmers."

BJP is on a three-day padayatra from Ramanagaram district to Bengaluru since Thursday, demanding waiver of all farm loans.

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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