Opening of 2nd legislature significant for statehood for North Karnataka

The opening of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, second legislature complex here tomorrow would be significant for according separate statehood to North Karnataka in erstwhile Bombay province in future, Agriculture and district in charge Minister Umesh Katti said here today.

He said he felt the increasing population would result in creation of 50 states by 2020. "We need a separate state for north Karnataka and opening of the legislature complex will be significant during that time for according separate statehood to north Karnataka," he said.

President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here tomorrow, amid objections by some political parties in Maharashtra, who have cited the boundary dispute between Karnataka and its neighbouring state.

To a query, Katti said the new complex would serve its purpose if two Assembly sessions are held here in a year.

"Committees addressing North Karnataka issues should hold deliberations here and those addressing issues relating to sugarcane farmers and powerloom should be shifted to Suvarna Soudha. I will discuss this with Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar," he said.

To another question, Katti said division of votes between BJP and Congress has helped Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti win the corporation election. Otherwise, it lacks political base here, he said.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah,who was also present, said the process is on to acquire land to build legislators' home adjacent to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.

"Farmers have agreed to give land for the same and the Rs 100 crore proposal for the Legislator's Home has already been placed before the government for its approval