Bandh for separate statehood BJP sponsored: DKS

Taking a jibe at the opposition, Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday termed the call for north Karnataka bandh on Thursday demanding separate statehood for the region as "BJP sponsored".

"Uttara Karnataka bandh is sponsored by BJP...where did the issue start? Who has spoken? They are the ones who are dividing the state," Shivakumar said.

"At any cost, this government and Congress party will take Akhanda Karnataka (United Karnataka) forward; we will not allow any injustice to happen to any part of this state..we will treat everyone equally," he said.

A day-long bandh has been called in 13 districts of north Karnataka on Thursday, alleging discrimination by successive governments towards the region.

'Uttara Karnataka Pratyeka Rajya Horata Samiti' (North Karnataka Separate Statehood Protest Committee) has alleged discrimination in allocation towards the region in the budget presented by Kumaraswamy on July 5, and also inadequate representation in the cabinet.

Samiti representatives had on Tuesday met Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who sought to mollify them by expressing his government's strong commitment for the region's development.

He also said the state government was mulling shifting certain government offices to the 'Suvarna Vidhana Soudha' in the region, in an attempt to address alleged discrimination.

Following the meeting with Kumaraswamy, Samiti president Somashekar Kotambari had on Tuesday said a decision on continuing with the bandh would be taken only after discussion with other organisations that supported the bandh.

While some groups and organisations have said they will go ahead with the bandh, others have decided not to support it.

BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa has blamed Kumaraswamy for giving room to the demand for statehood for North Karnataka. He, however, did not support dividing Karnataka and said whatever shortcomings were there could be set right.