Belagavi border row: Kannada groups to intensify protest

Belagavi: Following the failure to adopt a pro-Karnataka resolution at the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) meeting on Wednesday, Kannada organisations have announced plans to intensify their agitation and expand it across the state against the mayor and deputy mayor. In a press release, Ashok Chandaragi, president of the Belagavi District Kannada Organisations Action Committee, stated that meetings are scheduled in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, Dharwad, Davanagere and Vijayapura to mobilise support and chart the next course of action. Leaders of Kannada organisations are also set to meet state BJP president BY Vijayendra in Bengaluru to raise concerns over what they describe as the anti-Kannada stance of BJP leaders administering the BCC. The organisations have alleged that the mayor and deputy mayor have gone back on assurances given to them during the ongoing protests since March 26, demanding the adoption of the resolution.Terming the development a betrayal of Kannadigas and Karnataka, they have warned that the political leadership will be held accountable.