Won’t Abandon Call for North Karnataka State: MLA
📅 December 13, 2025
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
A senior legislator from Karnataka has reiterated his demand for the creation of a separate North Karnataka state, declaring that he will not abandon the long-standing call despite political resistance and criticism from within and outside his party.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the MLA said the demand was rooted in decades of perceived neglect, uneven development, and regional imbalance within Karnataka. He argued that successive governments, irrespective of party, have failed to adequately address the economic and social disparities between the northern districts and the southern part of the state.
“This is not a personal or political stunt,” the legislator said. “It is about justice for North Karnataka. Until our people receive equitable development and fair representation, this demand will continue.”
Long-Standing Regional Grievance
The demand for a separate North Karnataka state is not new. For years, leaders, activists, and civil society groups from the region have claimed that districts such as Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and parts of Belagavi lag behind in infrastructure, employment opportunities, education, and healthcare.
Proponents of the movement argue that administrative centralisation in Bengaluru has resulted in policy priorities skewed toward southern Karnataka, leaving northern regions dependent on delayed or inadequate allocations.
“Despite repeated promises and special packages, the gap has only widened,” the MLA said, adding that decentralised governance through statehood could accelerate development and improve accountability.
Political Pushback
The renewed assertion has drawn sharp reactions from senior leaders across party lines. Several leaders have dismissed the demand as divisive, warning that it could weaken Karnataka’s unity and trigger similar movements elsewhere.
A senior cabinet minister said the government remains committed to balanced regional development and pointed to initiatives such as special grants, industrial corridors, and education hubs in northern districts. “Statehood is not the solution. Good governance is,” the minister said.
Party insiders also indicated that the MLA’s statement does not reflect the official position of the party, stressing that no formal proposal for bifurcation is under consideration.
Support and Opposition on the Ground
On the ground, the statement has reignited debate in North Karnataka. Activist groups welcomed the MLA’s stand, saying it has given voice to regional frustrations that are often sidelined in state-level politics.
“North Karnataka has contributed immensely to the state’s culture and economy, yet remains underdeveloped,” said a leader of a regional forum. “We need a serious discussion, not dismissal.”
However, business groups and some local leaders cautioned that statehood could bring administrative uncertainty and disrupt ongoing development projects. They urged the government to focus on targeted investments rather than redrawing state boundaries.
Constitutional and Political Hurdles
Experts note that the creation of a new state requires a complex constitutional process, including approval by the state legislature and Parliament. At present, there appears to be little political consensus to move in that direction.
Political analysts say the MLA’s statement may also be aimed at keeping the issue alive ahead of future elections, particularly in northern districts where regional identity remains a potent force.
What Lies Ahead
Despite the pushback, the MLA maintained that he would continue raising the issue inside and outside the legislature. “This is about dignity and development,” he said. “I will not be silent.”
For now, the call for a separate North Karnataka state remains a contentious but unresolved chapter in Karnataka’s politics, reflecting deeper questions about regional equity, governance, and representation.
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