Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (MS)

Belagavi, Oct 19: Hukkeri MLA of BJP Umesh Katti has raised the issue of a separate North Karnataka state again by saying to create a separate state joining four districts each of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

In a press conference held at Sankeshwara taluk of the district, Umesh Katti urged to form a new North Karnataka state by joining north Karnataka districts with Kolahpur, Sangli, Karada and Solapur districts of Maharashtra state. Katti said, "If injustice is meted out to our part of Karnataka, then I am going to fight for this cause till my death. The division of Karnataka is a necessity."

Umesh Katti

Umesh Katti criticized the statement of B S Yediyurappa of releasing water to Maharashtra and said, "The statement of CM Yediyurappa of giving water to Maharashtra, without doing any work, is not right. First let him provide proper water to our part of the state. If this is not possible, then form a separate state for us."

"It is mockery of saying during elections that we will release water to Maharashtra. In the last summer, when we pleaded the Maharashtra government to release water, they did not heed to our demand. So the statement of Yediyurappa that we will release water to Maharashtra is really tragic. Only when the concerned officials of both the states have a discussion on this matter, there is chance of solution to this issue. The move of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka CM Yediyurappa in this matter is not correct," added Umesh Katti.

Supporting Umesh Katti's demand, former MLA Raju Kage said, "North Karnataka is neglected since a long time by the successive state governments of Karnataka. So Umesh Katti has mooted the proposal of forming a separate state. I support his demand. Telangana and Chattisgarh states were formed because of the same issues. It is right of forming a separate North Karnataka state for the faster development of that region."