As the winter session begins on December 8, the long-standing call to divide Belagavi district—Karnataka’s largest, with 15 taluks and 18 Assembly constituencies—is once again gaining momentum.
What has been a decades-old administrative debate is now turning urgent.
The push comes as the Election Commission gears up for the delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in 2026. Ahead of this exercise, it has directed state governments to finalise all taluk and district boundaries by the end of December. After that deadline, the EC will freeze the administrative map for three years, effectively blocking the creation of any new taluks or districts till at least 2028.
This time-bound window has energised organisations in Belagavi that have consistently demanded smaller, more manageable districts. With the deadline looming, many groups plan to stage intense demonstrations in and around Suvarna Soudha during the session. Their argument remains unchanged:
If the government misses this month’s deadline, the chance to restructure the district will vanish for years.
Movements in Gokak and Chikodi—both of which have strong, organised campaigns for separate district status—are expected to lead the charge. Meanwhile, Bailhongal recently observed a bandh, adding further pressure on the government to respond before the window closes.
Belagavi’s political and administrative map, it appears, is heading into a decisive moment.