CHIKKAMAGALURU: Legislators C.T. Ravi and V. Somanna of the BJP have come down heavily on Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for triggering the demand for North Karnataka statehood. In Chikkamagaluru, Mr Ravi held Mr Kumaraswamy responsible for the demand gaining momentum in north Karnataka districts after the CM presented a ‘lopsided’ budget favouring only a few districts in Old Mysuru region. Speaking to reporters, Mr Ravi said that the neglect of north Karnataka in the budget had led to widespread discontent among people who feel let down and fear that it will aggravate regional imbalance in the state.
“If Kumaraswamy feels he is the CM of only 37 Assembly seats which his party, the JD(S) won, he cannot be the representative of 224 Assembly seats,” he observed. Mr Ravi felt Mr Kumaraswamy lacks a vision for the state which has led to the current problem. He made it clear that his party will not back the demand for statehood or allow the partition of Karnataka.
“Ours is United Karnataka and Suvarna (golden) Karnataka,” he asserted. Former minister V Somanna said in Hassan that Mr Kumaraswamy was adding fuel to fire and asked the CM not to get emotional on issues facing the state. He felt Kumaraswamy was in a state of confusion and doubted if the farm loan waiver announced by the CM will fructify.
