The Jamkhandi bandh called in favour of creating Jamkhandi district received good response on Thursday with most of the business establishments and the markets remaining shut. Government buses did not operate.
Though the district administration had not declared a holiday for educational institutions and government offices, as vehicular movement was limited, the attendance was low in schools and offices.
The bandh was called by various organisations under the banner of Jamkhandi Pratyeka Zilla Horata Samiti which received support from different parties.
Though leaders of the BJP, including Siddu Savadi, Terdal MLA, remained absent, most of the BJP supporters extended their support and participated in the dharna. Mr. Savadi has already openly extended support for a new district. Similarly, Congress MLC S.R. Patil has also made the demand for a new district.
District in-charge Minister Govind Karjol seems to be treading cautiously on the issue by not making any open statement either in favour or against the demand.
But the one person who is spearheading the campaign is Congress MLA from Jamkhandi Anand Nyamgouda.
He is not only raising the issue vociferously but is also mobilising the people and the seers of the various mutts in the region in support of the demand.
“I am only raising the matter which was initiated by many leaders in the past, including my father late Siddu Nyamgouda, who wanted Jamkhandi to become a district,” he said. He said that when his father was MLA, he had brought several development works and ensured required resources which are needed to declare any taluk as district headquarters.
The date of the bandh, meanwhile, was decided tactically as Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa is expected to reach Bagalkot on Friday to hold a review meeting and monitor flood relief works.
The supporters of the bandh believe that as the Chief Minister himself is coming, the best way to convey the message regarding their demand is to call for a bandh.
Though it is not sure how Mr. Yediyurappa will react and, or, give an assurance or not, the intensified demand, it is expected, would surely compel him to react to the demand in some way or the other during his visit.
