‘Local leaders also responsible for NK’s backwardness’

Blaming south Karnataka-based political leaders for being responsible for backwardness of north and Hyderabad-Karnataka regions, Balaswamy Kodli, a leader of Namma Uttara Karnataka Trust, alleged that north Karnataka’s political leaders had also contributed a greatly to the backwardness of their own region.

He was addressing a press conference here on Thursday. “Apart from politicians of south Karnataka origin, the leaders of north Karnataka have also played an undeniable role in keeping their native region backward in all spheres. They never understood the conspiracies of south Karnataka leaders. At least now they should realise and join the ongoing agitation for north Karnataka’s development,” he said.

IIT confusion

Mr. Kodli attacked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for “creating confusion” over the place for establishment of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) that the Union government had granted to Karnataka.

“Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa committee on regional imbalances has clearly recommended IIT for Raichur. The State cabinet during Jagadish Shettar’s tenure as Chief Minister, had also resolved to recommend IIT for Raichur. Yet the State government has, with a malicious intention, written to the Union government proposing Mysuru and Dharwad along with Raichur,” he charged.

Power problem

Emphasising the Raichur district’s contribution to State’s power sector, Mr. Kodli demanded uninterrupted power supply to the district.

“Raichur contributes around 37 per cent of electricity generated by the Karnataka government. Once the under-construction Yermarus Thermal Power Station, which has an installed capacity of 1,600 MW, Raichur’s contribution would cross 50 per cent. Yet, the district is always hit hard by improper and insufficient power supply,” he said.

Dr. Razak Ustaad, another office bearer of the Trust, announced that the march, which had begun from Vijayapura on Wednesday, condemning the continued injustice to north Karnataka and demanding its all-round development, would be culminated in Raichur with a huge public meeting.