The long-standing debate over the division of Belagavi district has resurfaced with the district-in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi once again backing the idea, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing openness to the proposal.
Speaking at a media event in Gokak on Saturday, Mr. Jarkiholi said plans are underway to form a new Gokak district.
“A government medical college and engineering college are essential for Gokak, and achieving district status will make this easier,” he said.
He noted that Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has already approved a district hospital for Gokak, with construction to begin soon. The facility will be operational before the medical college comes up. Similarly, Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar has assured the sanction of a government engineering college, with plans to start it in a temporary location until the building is ready.
He also mentioned a ₹50-crore ropeway project to Gokak Falls aimed at boosting tourism and the construction of a central library opposite the Gokak Court at a cost of ₹4 crore.
Mr. Jarkiholi has consistently pushed for dividing Belagavi into three districts—Belagavi, Chikkodi, and Gokak—arguing that it would improve administrative convenience and benefit the public.
A few days earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had told reporters in Gouribidanur that there are ongoing demands for Belagavi’s division and that the government would consider them after consulting local legislators.
The demand for a separate Chikkodi district has existed for over 30 years. B.R. Sangappagol had established the Chikkodi Zilla Horata Samiti to lead the movement, which is now carried forward by Sanju Badiger and Shivaraj Bolannanavar after Sangappagol’s death.
Former CM J.H. Patel had announced the formation of a Chikkodi district in 1997, but dropped the plan after Kannada activists opposed it, fearing the move would strengthen the pro-Marathi sentiment in the remaining Belagavi areas and renew the demand for merger with Maharashtra.
Mr. Jarkiholi, however, believes this concern is outdated. “MES once had five MLAs from Belagavi; now they have none. Their influence in the City Corporation has also diminished,” he said in Belagavi recently.
Yet, not everyone is convinced. Some Kannada activists argue that pro-Maharashtra sentiment may still be stoked by other cultural groups, especially if Marathi-speaking votes consolidate in the new Belagavi district.
Meanwhile, residents of Bailhongal, currently a sub-divisional headquarters, are demanding a separate district of their own. If not granted, they prefer no division at all and support a unified Belagavi.
Sri Rajayogindra Swami of Kalmath is also advocating for the creation of Kittur district, citing its historical significance as the seat of Kittur Rani Channamma.
Belagavi is one of Karnataka’s largest districts with a population of over 57 lakh. It comprises 14 taluks, 18 Assembly constituencies, two MLCs, and falls under three Lok Sabha constituencies—Belgaum, Uttara Kannada, and Chikkodi. It also has the most gram panchayats in the State—506 in total.
According to Mr. Jarkiholi, each of the proposed new districts would include six Assembly segments. Belagavi district’s geographical spread, shaped like the English letter “S”, stretches across four directions, bordering five Karnataka districts, three in Maharashtra, and one in Goa. Residents of border villages like Telsang, Kakamari, and Kottalagi currently travel nearly 200 km to reach the district headquarters.
Sanju Badiger emphasized that the present district administration overlooks remote areas. “Trifurcation would mean three DCs, three SPs, and three ZP CEOs who can better manage and address local issues. Administering such a vast district is not practical,” he argued.
