Katti, Nadahalli, now BR Patil: Chorus for a new state grows in Karnataka

Kalaburagi: While concurring with the views of former Minister Umesh Katti and legislator A.S. Patil Nadahalli on the issue of neglect of the north Karnataka region by the Siddaramaiah government, former Deputy Chairman and Aland MLA B R Patil has stated that soon a meeting of “like-minded” legislators belonging to all  political parties would be held at Bengaluru to discuss the issue.

Speaking to media persons here, Mr Patil however differed with these two leaders on the issue of carving out a new state of north Karnataka region to achieve development. “Formation of a new state is not the only solution for achieving progress”, he remarked.

There are many legislators who agree with the view that NK region has been neglected by the present government and Mr Nadahalli was expelled from the party to silence such dissenting voices in the part, he said.

Even though the Siddaramaiah government had completed two years in office, it had not provided justice to the region, which was neglected for a long time. Both Mr Katti and Mr Nadahalli were right in saying the region was being neglected by the present government.

“These two leaders have raised the issue of forming a separate state and there is a need to discuss the issue on a common platform. All support would be extended to the struggle for developing  north Karnataka. Soon a meeting of all party legislators and veteran leaders from the region would be convened to discuss the issue. I have already contacted some leaders over phone and the response  is encouraging”, Mr Patil stated.

An one- time close associate of Mr Siddaramaiah, Mr Patil minced no words in accusing the present Chief Minister of showing a step-motherly attitude to the development of the NK area including Hyderabad Karnataka region.