Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reignited the long-standing debate over the possible division of Belagavi district — Karnataka’s largest — by stating that the demand for new districts has primarily come from this region. Addressing a public gathering in Gauribidanur on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah stated that the matter would be addressed after consulting with local MLAs and the district-in-charge minister.
His comments have added fresh momentum to the call for trifurcating Belagavi, especially in the wake of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi recently voicing open support for the proposal. Jarkiholi argued that dividing the district into three would lead to better governance and administrative efficiency.
Expectations had peaked in December 2024 during the legislature session in Belagavi, with many anticipating the announcement of two new districts — Chikkodi and Gokak. Several seers, community leaders, and local organisations had submitted representations in support of the proposal. However, the government’s silence on the issue left many disappointed.
Belagavi, home to nearly 55 lakh people, is the most populous district in Karnataka. It comprises 14 taluks, 18 assembly constituencies, 506 gram panchayats — the highest in the state — and spans parts of three parliamentary constituencies: Belagavi, Chikkodi, and a segment of Uttara Kannada.
Supporters of the division argue that creating smaller districts would bring government services closer to citizens and open up new avenues for development. Residents from taluks such as Athani, Yadawad, Raibag, Chikkodi, Mudalagi, and Ramdurg often travel 100 to 200 kilometers to reach the district headquarters — a major hurdle in accessing administrative services.
The demand is not new. As early as 1997, committees headed by Vasudev Rao, Hundekar, and P.C. Gaddigoudar had recommended forming Chikkodi as a separate district. But the proposals were shelved following opposition from pro-Kannada organisations. These groups fear that dividing Belagavi could inadvertently strengthen the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti’s influence in the border region. They maintain that no such move should be made until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute.
With fresh political backing and growing public support, the debate over Belagavi’s division has once again taken centre stage — though a final decision remains uncertain.