H D Kumaraswamy condemns demand for separate statehood

Bangalore, Nov 1 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today condemned the demand made by the Hyderabad Karnatak Horata Samithi for a separate statehood for the Northern Karnataka region and said that those who enjoyed power earlier were now trying to exploit the regional imbalance.

Talking to newspersons at a tea hosted by him in connection with the golden jubilee of State formation here, he said the government would take suitable steps to remove regional imbalance and backwardness of Northern Karnataka.

He also criticised the Centre for not providing adequate funds to the state when compared to the gesture it had shown to develop backward areas in neighbouring states.

Governor T N Chaturvedi and leader of opposition in the Assembly Dharam Singh and Opposition leader in legislative Counil H K Patil were among the dignatories who attended the tea. BJP Ministers were conspicuous by their absence.

UNI MV VK SHB BST2036