Divide Tumakuru into two: Dr G Parameshwar

Bengaluru: Even as the ruling BJP grapples with internal dissent following its proposal to bifurcate Ballari district, the demand for yet another district has gained momentum with none other than former Deputy CM Dr G. Parameshwar writing a letter to Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa demanding that Tumakuru district should be bifurcated with Madhugiri as the headquarters of the new district.

Dr Parameshwar had represented Madhugiri in the Assembly earlier and now represents the neighbouring constituency of Koratagere. His family hails from Tumakuru. In his letter, the former Dy CM asserted that Sira, Pavagada, Madhugiri and Koratagere taluks can be clubbed and declared as the new district. His letter comes days ahead of the cabinet meeting on Thursday when Mr Yediyurappa may present the proposal for dividing Ballari district to create the new Vijayanagara district amid protests from  the powerful Reddy brothers of the mining hub  as some leaders have called for a Ballari bandh on Tuesday. CLP leader Siddaramaiah wondered why the CM was keen on dividing Ballari when the much larger Belagavi remained undivided. “They (BJP) are going to divide Ballari to help Anand Singh, and this is not correct,” he tweeted.