North Karnataka Statehood Demand Sparks Debate: BJP Leader Slams MLA's Call for Secession

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A heated debate has erupted in Karnataka over the demand for a separate North Karnataka state. Former deputy chief minister and BJP leader Govind Karjol has strongly opposed the call, made by Kagwad MLA Raju Kage, saying it reflects a lack of understanding of the state's history. Karjol, an MP from Chitradurga, pointed out that Karnataka was formed after years of struggle and sacrifice, and that concerns about uneven development should be addressed with the government rather than used as a reason to divide the state. Kage had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the creation of a new state comprising 15 districts in the northern part of Karnataka. He claimed that the region has been neglected since unification, hindering development. Kage also declared support for a signature campaign launched by the Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti, which claims to have collected signatures from 10 million people. Karjol argued that the demand for a separate state is misguided and that regional organisations should focus on addressing their concerns with the government rather than pursuing secession. He warned that splitting the state would be a step backward, and that the BJP would never support such a move. Kage's demand has revived a decades-old debate, with regional organisations threatening to hoist a separate flag at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha if their concerns are ignored during the upcoming winter session in Belagavi. The idea of a breakaway state has surfaced intermittently in Karnataka politics, with some arguing that the state's size justifies a division. Kage compared Karnataka to other large states, suggesting that it should be divided into two states due to its population size. However, Karjol remains firm in his opposition to the demand, stressing that nobody should speak of splitting the state.