Congress on new Karnataka district: Why not divide Belagavi, Tumakuru?

BENGALURU: Congress looked to reap advantage of the government’s discomfiture over the proposal to divide Ballari district and form a new district named Vijayanagara by demanding that it first bifurcate Belagavi and Tumakuru.
The demand came on the eve of a bandh called by various organisations on Tuesday to protest the government’s proposal to carve up the district.

In a letter to chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday, former deputy chief minister G Parameshwara demanded he consider forming Madhugiri district by dividing Tumakuru district.
“It has been a long-standing demand of the people of Madhugiri and neighbouring areas to create a new district by including Pavagada, Kortagere and Sira taluks. This should be taken up on priority,” Parameshwara’s letter said.
Congress Legislature Party Leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah also waded into the row, questioning the logic behind bifurcating Ballari district. “All this is being done to appease disqualified MLA BS Anand Singh, who has become quite unpopular in his constituency [Vijayanagara],” Siddaramaiah said. “He is trying to use emotional bait to attract voters by securing a separate district. If Ballari is so big, then Belagavi is even bigger with 18 taluks. Why not divide that first?”
However, easing the pressure on Yediyurappa, Siraguppa BJP legislator MS Somalingappa gave his consent to either dividing Balalri or even renaming the district as Vijayanagara. “We are with the government, either which ways,” said the legislator.
Speaking in Shivamogga, Yediyurappa sought to pacify furious leaders, saying the government is yet to take a decision on dividing Ballari district. “We will deliberate on the issue on Thursday at a cabinet meeting and take a final call,” Yediyurappa said.