Karnataka CM's effort on Special Status a gimmick: Congress

Bangalore, Oct 28 (UNI) Opposition leader in the Karnataka assembly Mallikarjuna Kharge today said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's effort to lead an all-party legislators delegation to New Delhi on Classical Status to Kannada and seeking amendment to Article-371 for Backward region was 'politically motivated and an eyewash'.

Reacting sharply on Mr Yeddyurappa's appeal to opposition leaders to participate in an all-party legislators delegation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November four, Mr Kharge said the ''Chief Minister wants to derive political mileage on the two issues''.

''Union Government has already taken a decision on according Classical status to both Kannada and Telugu languages and only an announcement was pending'' he added.

On seeking special status to backward region under Article-371 of the Constitution, Union Home Minister Shivaraj Patil has agreed in principal to give special developmental focus on the lines of Vidharbha region in Maharashtra for the overall development of the most backward region in the State, Mr Kharge said.

Taking strong exception on Chief Minister's appeal on joining the all-party legislators delegation to Prime Minister, Mr Kharge denied any letter being received by the Chief Minister.

''Mr Yeddyurappa is politicising the issue and inviting opposition party legislators to join the delegation without bringing notice to the concerned legislative party leaders'' he charged.

Earlier in the day, addressing newspersons, Mr Yeddyurappa urged the leaders of the opposition parties to cooperate with the Government's efforts and to join the delegation for a meeting with Dr Singh on the issue.

UNI MV SK BST2006