Bittoo: Bapu.
Bapu: Yes Bittoo.
Bittoo: Former minister and senior BJP leader from Hukkeri Umesh V. Katti must be a very happy man these days Bapu?
Bapu: What makes you think so Bittoo?
Bittoo: His demand for separate statehood for North Karnataka, which he first made on the eve of inauguration of the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha at the hands of the then President Pranab Mukherjee in October 2012 but was strongly criticized by his own party leaders, Opposition parties, and several others, is now getting expression wide across the region.
Bapu: Hummmmm!
Bittoo: And Bapu.
Bapu: Go on Bittoo.
Bittoo: Interestingly, those who are threatening to launch a strong movement for separate statehood are giving same reasons Mr.Katti cited then – step-motherly treatment and negligence towards development and progress of the region.
Bapu: That’s true Bittoo.
Bittoo: So, is this a case of belated realization or there’s any other political reason Bapu?
Bapu: I don’t know Bittoo.
This is a citizen-centric new column, wherein the author(Bitto) is an ordinary, politically unaffiliated common man of the city who in his/her inimitable approach takes up various issues with the Bapu’s soul! Apparently, the interaction between them portrays ironies of sorts encountered by the common man and others in the city in a lighter vein. The author’s name will not be disclosed to the readers as he/she represents the common man of the society. This column aims at creating awareness and sensitising cross sections of our city on various issues of public concern only but in a lighter vein without holding any contempt against any institution or individual.
Is this necessary….
Due to popullation growth, both the centre and many State governments have realised the need for decentralised power and bifurcation of big states for effective governance. It is because of these reasons, many states were bifurcated to pave way for creation of new states and new districts. Even in Karnataka, new districts and taluks were created nearly two decades ago. The State government had proposed to create another nearly 35 new taluks. There is a long pending demand for bifurcation of Belagavi district with Chikkodi/Gokaj as district headquarter of the new district. Similar demands are there before the government of Maharashtra. It is on same lines the people of North Karnataka region are demanding separate statehood for the region.
Also, MES is fighting a legal battle for transfer of Belagavi, Nioani, Khanapur and more 800 boundary villages and towns to Maharashtra, which however, is a different story.
So, readers are free to draw their inferences but facts cannot be altered.
—Bittoo
Katti wants to be CM of New States thats the only reason.