The decision was taken at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat executive committee meeting held at Gangavati on Friday evening.
According to sources, Bijapur received 35 votes, while Haveri received five, and Bellary one vote, in their race to host the next Sammelana.
On Saturday, thousands of people took part in the ongoing 78th literary extravaganza. The spectators jostled for space at the jam-packed main venue, Sri Gandugali Kumararama Vedike, where sessions on the burning issues of Kannada and Karnataka were held.
The stimulating discussion on the demand for amending Article 371 to accord special status to Hyderabad -Karnataka region received a thunderous applause.
The next such session was comedy by Gangavati Pranesh and others who unleashed gales of laughter at the Sammelana.
The morning session on Kannada language included discussions on the proposed closure of Kannada schools, and the use of Kannada language in electronic media.
A book on the president of Kannada Sammelana, ‘CPK Balabelaku’ authored by Manasa, was released during the interaction with C P Krishnakumar.
Other issues discussed were Koppal district, co-operative movement in Karnataka, movements and future challenges in the State, and modern world and Kannada.
The academic sessions were punctuated with intervals of dance, music and other cultural programmes, which continued till late night. Special buses were arranged for ‘Jilla Darshan’, a visit to the tourist spots near Gangavati. The guests from other parts of the State were provided accommodation by the residents in their houses under ‘Mane Mane Atithi’ programme.
The book stalls, which made a brisk business on Saturday, are expecting increase in footfalls on Sunday. The scorching sun boosted the sale of ice cream, sugar cane juice and groundnut outside the main pandal, while hand-fans with an advertisement of a detergent brand, were distributed free of cost.
‘Mysore Pak’ was served for breakfast and the region-special ‘uduru sajjakka’ for lunch.
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