N-K statehood row is JD(S) conspiracy: BSY

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa on Monday stated that he will visit Belagavi on Tuesday and convince the heads of various mutts to drop their agitation demanding a statehood for north Karnataka.

In a press statement, Yeddyurappa charged Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda of hatching a conspiracy to divide the state for the sake of power and political survival.“The Gowda duo want to strengthen the JD(S) by dividing Karnataka. People
of the state will neither accept nor tolerate this,” Yeddyurappa stated.

“Recently, the Congress had hatched a conspiracy to divide the Lingayat faith. The JD(S) is also treading a similar path. People will teach a befitting lesson to the JD(S)” he stated.

The BJP always stood for a united Karnataka and at no cost will support division of the state, he stated.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Basavaraj Rayareddy on Monday urged Chief Minister
H D Kumaraswamy to convene a meeting at the earliest to discuss issues pertaining to north Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Rayareddy said the region was plagued with many problems and that it was imperative for the government to address the issue of regional imbalance.

He also said that there was “political imbalance” as the chief minister, deputy chief minister, Speaker and a majority of the Cabinet ministers were from south Karnataka. “Hence, the JD(S) and the Congress should give importance to leaders from north Karnataka during the Cabinet expansion and while making appointments to boards and corporations,” he said.