BJP flays govt over 'apathy' towards North Karnataka

: The opposition BJP Tuesday hit out at the H D Kumaraswamy led coalition government over its alleged apathy towards northern parts of Karnataka and warned it about the "consequences".

Initiating the debate on issues relating to north Karnataka in the assembly, which is holding the winter session here, senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar accused the Congress-JD(S)coalition of neglecting their own leaders from the region.

He pointed out that Congress' S R Patil and JD(S)' Basawaraj Horatti from north Karnataka were seen as contenders for the post of legislative council chairman, but the grand old party sprung a surprise at the last minute by nominating Prathap Chandra Shetty for the post.

"There are several such incidents... this part of the state has been neglected by this government, even in the cabinet...there will be consequences that Congress and JD(S) may have to face in the future," he added.

Pointing out at the demand for a separate north Karnataka state that made headlines earlier this year, Shettar questioned the Chief Minister about fulfilling the promises made to the agitators.

As the demand for a separate north Karnataka resurfaced, Kumaraswamy in July had said the government was mulling shifting some government offices to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in the region, in an attempt to address alleged discrimination.

Shettar said the Chief Minister had promised to shift offices to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, following which a cabinet sub-committee was constituted under Minister R V Deshpande.

The sub-committee, in its report to the government, was said to have recommended shifting of the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam, The Commissioner for Cane Development & Director of Sugar, among others, but nothing had transpired so far.

"North Karnataka has been completely neglected under this government," he alleged as he demanded that the government place the sub-committee report before the House.

He also accused the IAS officers lobby of working against the move to shift departments to northern region.

On the protests and issues faced by sugarcane farmers of north Karnataka, Shettar said that the government delayed acting on their demand, which resulted in them staging protests.

Sugarcane farmers here have been demanding clearance of pending arrears by sugar factories for cane supplied and announcement of purchase price for sugarcane for the current season as done in neighbouring Maharashtra.

Shettar also chided the Kumaraswamy for allegedly questioning farmers of north Karnataka about not voting for his party JD(S) during the assembly polls.

Pointing out various issues concerning north Karnataka, he asked the Chief Minister to take effective steps for the all-round development of the region.