Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka: Pro Kannada outfit to Shiv Sena

 

As quoted by Deccan Herold, terming disputed Belagavi region as an integral part of Karnataka, Ashok Pujari head of Pro Kannada group has urged Karnataka government to go ahead with the proposal Belagavi as the second capital.

He maintained that overall development of North Karnataka region should be the top priority of the state government. Pujari opined that according special status to Belagavi will resolve the boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena Chief had opposed the Karnataka government move of declaring Belagavi as the second capital in the state. The decision came after the protest of North Karnataka outfits over the alleged negligence in state budget presented by the Kumaraswamy government.

Invoking the long-pending boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka, Shiv Sena took a swipe at Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and charged JD(S) –Congress government of hurting the sentiments of Marathi speaking citizens living in the boundary region.

The inter-state boundary dispute is in the apex court and Shiv Sena observed that Kumaraswamy government’s decision would be a clear case of contempt of court.

In order to placate the ongoing protest on the issue of separate north Karnataka state, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has decided to accord a second capital status to Belgaum.

Many north Karnataka outfits are protesting against the alleged budgetary discrimination. In 2006, Janata Dal (Secular)- BJP government had passed a resolution on Belgaum as Karnataka's second capital.

According to media reports, the Karnataka government has decided to shift some key administrative offices to Belgaum. the JD(S) – Congress government soon will take the final call on the long-pending proposal.