NKDF to hold seers meet, intensify protests

The North Karnataka Development Forum (NKDF) will hold meetings with seers of the region before December 5 to intensify the protest demanding development of North Karnataka region.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in July, had assured to make Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) an administrative centre by shifting some of the government departments here.

Forum convenor Ashok Pujari told reporters in Belagavi, on Friday, that seers led by Siddharam Swamiji of Nagnur Rudrakshimath, Pancham Shivalineshwar Swamiji of Nidasoshi and Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swamiji of Hukkeri had staged protests before SVS in July seeking development of North Karnataka region on all fronts. This had caught the attention of the state government.

Kumaraswamy had announced shifting offices of 11 departments to SVS by forming a committee. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa met the protesters and expressed support for their demands. Since the July protest, nothing has progressed. This had hurt the sentiments and belied aspirations of the people.

An ultimatum would be given to the state government to meet demands by December 10 (the first day of the winter session of the state legislature). If there is no response from the state government, NKDF wants to intensify its protest.

Pujari also demanded that the legislature session of 21 days be held here instead of formal 10 ten days (which witnesses poor attendance of members).