As the Winter Session begins on December 8, the long-running demand to split Belagavi district, Karnataka’s largest, with 15 taluks and 18 Assembly segments, is resurfacing with renewed urgency. A decades-old administrative discussion is now at a critical point.
The trigger is the Election Commission’s preparation for the 2026 delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies. The EC has instructed states to finalise all taluk and district boundaries by the end of December. Once this deadline passes, the administrative map will be frozen for three years, stopping the creation of any new districts or taluks until at least 2028.
This narrow window has galvanised groups in Belagavi that have consistently argued for carving out smaller districts. With time running out, several organisations are planning intense protests around Suvarna Soudha during the session. Their core message remains unchanged:
Missing the December deadline could push the district restructuring demand out of reach for years.
Strong mobilisation is expected from Gokak and Chikodi, both of which have long advocated for separate district status. Bailhongal’s recent bandh has added to the mounting pressure on the government to act before the window closes. Belagavi now appears to be approaching a pivotal moment in its political and administrative future.
