The demand for a separate Member of Legislative Council (MLC) for Vijayapura local bodies’ constituencies is gaining momentum with the District Congress Committee (DCC) deciding to take a delegation to the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, to press the matter.
The DCC had recently passed a resolution in this regard, stating that it was high time the government brought an amendment to the law for giving an MLC seat for Vijayapura district.
“The MLC seat for local bodies’ constituency was existing even before the bifurcation of undivided Bijapur district. Even after Bagalkot becoming a separate district after getting detached from the then Bijapur district, the government did not give a separate MLC position to Vijayapura district,” said Sharanappa Sunagar, the DCC president.
It may be noted that since Vijayapura district has no separate MLC, one MLC is selected from both Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts.
S.R. Patil, the Bagalkot District In-charge Minister, is the present MLC for local bodies’ constituency who is representing both districts.
Meanwhile, several Congress leaders believe that with the geographical area and population of the Vijayapura district widening, the district needs a separate MLC. “The historic district would have better political representation if the government meets our demand by bringing changes in the present law”, Mr. Sunagar said.
He said that the matter has also been brought to the notice of all Congress MLAs of the district and the District In-charge Minister, M.B. Patil, to raise the issue before the Chief Minister during the meeting.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Patil admitted that he is in favour of such a demand and added that he would also bring the matter to the notice of the Chief Minister.
“The matter has been raised recently, we also have to study the legal option to check its possibility. However, if it is possible within the legal framework, then surely we want a separate MLC which will strengthen our political representation,” he asserted.
