Belagavi: BJP leader and Rajya Sabha Member Prabhakar Kore has warned that he would be forced to support the call for separate statehood for North Karnataka if the State government failed to recommend Belagavi for the establishment of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

The BJP MP was speaking at a meeting of elected representatives and professionals organised by a non-political Professional Forum to discuss the issue.

Expressing strong displeasure over no mention of Belagavi among the list of districts and probable locations to be recommended for establishing the IIT, Kore said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had expressed his willingness to establish the premier technology institute either in Dharwad, Raichur or Mysuru. “What was the problem in recommending Belagavi? Siddaramaiah always adopts anti-north Karnataka stand,” he alleged.

Let the government recommend Belagavi and the center shall take a final call, he stated. He also warned that failure to do so would stabilise the demand for bifurcation of the State.

(Agencies)