BENGALURU : Karnataka BJP has called for the resignation of Laxmi Hebbalkar, minister for women and child welfare, after she allegedly claimed at a public event that the border district of Belagavi belonged to Maharashtra prior to the country’s Independence.
Hebbalkar made the remarks during a discussion on the history of Kannada and the state Karnataka at the Sixth Kannada Convention at Karadga in Belagavi district on Sunday.A video of her purported comments was widely circulated on social media.
It obviously ruffled feathers since the border dispute has been a touchy issue. BJP was quick to latch on with MLA SR Vishwanath demanding that chief minister Siddaramaiah dismiss her from his council of ministers.
He emphasized that Belagavi was integrated into the state of Karnataka “long ago” and accused Hebbalkar of raking up a row for political gain. “Minister Hebbalkar has insulted 6.5 crore Kannada people. Belagavi belongs to Karnataka, and that’s why the government organizes the assembly session in Belagavi,” Vishwanath said.
Former chief minister and state JD(S) president, HD Kumaraswamy, while criticising Hebbalkar, urged Siddaramaiah to “advise” his ministers against making controversial statements on sensitive issues. “Hebbalkar may have an affinity for Maharashtra, but she should refrain from raising settled issues,” Kumaraswamy said. “Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka.”
Former deputy CM and senior BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan pointed out that while Karnataka’s existence resulted from the “unification of many kingdoms”, there was no reason to “delve into the past”.
“Belagavi belongs to Karnataka. There should be no political conspiracy on this,” Narayan said. “Neither Kannadigas nor Marathis will support Hebbalkar’s comments.”