CM instigating demand for separate state: BJP

BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar and Pralhad Joshi said on Sunday that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was making provocative statements that was intensifying the demand for a separate North Karnataka state.

Speaking to media persons here, Dharwad MP Joshi said while the BJP was not in favour of a separate state, the party was morally supporting the protesters’ demand for justice to North Karnataka.

"There is no doubt that there is injustice to North Karnataka in terms of development," the MP said.

However, the provocative statement by the chief minister, "take away a separate state and let us see how you will manage the state," is intensifying the demand, he said.

Countering former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who sought to know BJP's contribution to North Karnataka, Joshi said his party was in power for only five years, whereas JD(S) and Congress ruled the state for 60-odd years and they had to tell people about their contribution.

“Your (Congress) own party leaders are claiming that there is injustice to North Karnataka. If there is no such injustice, why not take disciplinary action against H K Patil and other leaders?” he said.

MLA Shettar demanded that the chief minister release statistics related to development works taken up in North Karnataka by various governments so far. This will give a clear picture to the people and settle the debate once for all, the former chief minister said.