In a bold critique of the annual winter Assembly session held in Belagavi, first-time Gurmitkal JDS MLA Sharanagouda Kandakur dismissed the 10-day event as a waste of time, refusing to thank the Speaker for the opportunity to discuss the issues of North Karnataka.
“This is not an Assembly session; it’s a 10-day annual tour at a cost of Rs 20-25 crore,” Kandakur remarked during his address. “People come to us with their problems, expecting solutions, but we, the 96 legislators from North Karnataka — 43 from Kalyan Karnataka and 53 from Kittur Karnataka — fail to deliver anything meaningful.”
The MLA expressed frustration over the lack of action on critical issues, citing the recent deaths of five postpartum women in Ballari. “It’s been eight days since the deaths, yet no one seems to care. Compensation has been announced for their families, but has anyone thought about the children left behind? Who will look after them?” he questioned.
Kandakur also criticized the legislature’s approach, warning of growing public discontent. “If this continues, people will lose faith in us. All we do is blame each other during these sessions. There are questions and answers, but no real solutions. We then return to Bengaluru, and nothing changes for another year,” he said.
His remarks echoed the sentiments of many who believe that the annual Belagavi session fails to address the region’s pressing concerns, reducing it to a mere formality.