Mysuru, Jul 30: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said those who don't know the objectives of unification of Karnataka and its struggles during that time, are demanding statehood for North Karnataka. “Those supporting a separate North Karnataka state are engaged in a foolish argument,” he said.
“Karnataka was unified after a lot of struggle. It is an important historic event. Those voicing support for the separate statehood movement don't know anything about history. When I was chief minister, we implemented a number of mega development projects in this region. We’ve released thousands of crores of rupees. We prepared projects for overall development of the state. I know the concept of a unified Karnataka,” he said.
“I would like to know, what is the contribution of all those supporting a separate North Karnataka state when they were in power?” he asked and added the leaders, including Umesh Katti, haven't contributed anything for its development. “How is the Union government supporting the people of backward areas? What is the contribution of BJP leaders to this region?” he questioned.
He said the regional imbalance must be resolved and North Karnataka should be developed. “I am also representing a constituency of North Karnataka. But I am not demanding a separate state. It is wrong,” he said.
“By implementing Article 371, we are working towards the development of Hyderabad-Karnatak region. My government had released Rs 1,500 crore for the developmentof Hyderabad-Karnatak. When all this was happening, Umesh Katti and Sreeramulu were silent,” he said.
According to him, it's not only North Karnataka, taluks of Tumakuru and Chamarajanagar are also backward. “A sum of Rs 52,000 crore is required to implementat the Upper Krishna project. Whichever government comes to power, this money must be released. So politicians shouldn't make wild allegations,” he said.
No neglect: Khandre
In Bidar, KPCC working president Eshwar Khandre said the Congress-JD(S) government is committed to the development of NK. Khandre said the government has not neglected any region. “We have provided sufficient funds for NK and will ensure better performance in all sectors of the region.”
He appealed to commoners not to listen to any false news that supports separatism. “If people of North Karnataka feel any lapses or disparity from the government side, we are ready to compensate. But there is no need to divide the state, which has a glorious history,” he asserted.
In Hubballi, municipalities and local bodies minister Ramesh Jarkiholi said Karnataka should remain united and that he does not support the demand for separate statehood. “Ours is a united Karnataka. The claim that injustice is done to North Karnataka in the budget is false.”
Jarkiholi, who visited Belagavi district Congress leader Anand Chopra, who was attacked by miscreants and admitted to a hospital in the city, said Chopra is out of danger. “I am confident that the culprits will be arrested. The investigation will reveal if it was a murder attempt.”
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