Kannada groups have cautioned the state government against splitting Belagavi district without proper consultation. They urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to involve Kannada organisations from border areas in discussions on the proposed trifurcation, instead of limiting talks to the district’s 18 MLAs.
At a meeting of various Kannada organisations on Thursday, leaders recalled that on August 22, 1992, the JH Patel-led government had announced the formation of Belagavi, Chikodi and Gokak districts based solely on the views of 11 Janata Dal MLAs, sidelining Kannada groups.
The move triggered a month-long agitation and was later withdrawn, with the government declaring in the Assembly that Belagavi would not be divided until the Karnataka–Maharashtra border dispute was settled. Former chief ministers S. Nijalingappa and Ramakrishna Hegde, along with Kannada leader Patil Puttappa, had also strongly opposed the move then.
During Thursday’s consultation, chaired by Karnataka Border Area Development Authority chairman Somanna Bevinmarad at the ZP Hall, representatives warned the government of serious consequences if any reorganisation decision is taken without Kannada groups’ approval.
