Accusing the coalition government of discriminating against north Karnataka and favouring south Karnataka in the budget, the Opposition BJP on Wednesday cautioned the government that this could give a fillip to demand for a separate statehood, besides paving the way for a Telangana-like agitation. A similar opinion was expressed by senior BJP leader B. Sriramulu on Tuesday.
During the discussion on the budget, the former Minister and senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai said the budget had triggered anger and despair.
Seeking allocation of sufficient funds for the third stage of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP), Mr. Bommai suggested replicating the model adopted for the implementation of Namma Metro project in Bengaluru. “By taking up UKP III Stage work and allocating funds, it is possible to create confidence among the people of north Karnataka and those clamouring for separate statehood that the government is not discriminating against the region,” he said.