There is no question of the division of the State, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said at the 59th Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations here on Saturday.
“We should not pay any heed to people who are demanding separate Statehood. Why did they not do anything for the development of the region when in power? Now that they are not in power, they are demanding the division of the State,” he alleged, in an oblique reference to statements by the former Minister and BJP MLA Umesh Katti demanding separate Statehood.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would not allow the division of Karnataka at any cost. The State that was unified with the struggle and sacrifice of many people would remain so. The government, he said, was committed to ensuring the overall development of the State, especially Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
He said the government was committed to implementing the recommendations of the Nanjundappa Committee on redressing regional imbalances. With the special status accorded under Article 371J, regional imbalances could be set right, he said.
Attempts foiledIn Kalaburagi, the police foiled attempts by leaders of the Hyderabad Karnataka Yuva Horata Samiti and other organisations to hoist a statehood flag at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chowk.
In Dharwad, there was also a protest, under Patil Puttappa, president of Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha, the organisation that played a key role in the State unification movement.
