BS Yediyurappa | Photo credit: PTI
Key points
- The Chief Minister said he is doing his best to bring all the communities
- Last month, the Chief Minister had announced the formation of the MDA
- The move was seen as an attempt to woo the Marathas who are dominant in the Bidar district, Basava Kalyan.
Bangalore: A day before the proposed bandh in Karnataka, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, on Friday, urged pro-Kannada organizations not to go ahead with their plan.
Several pro-Kannada teams have called for a bandh in the state on Saturday against the formation of the Maratha Development Authority (MDA).
Last month, the Chief Minister had announced the formation of the MDA and had earmarked Rs 50 million for the “ general development of the Maratha people ”, a move seen as an attempt to woo the ruling Marathas in the Bidar district. , Basava Kalyan, where the Assembly must hold a by-election.
CM tries to pacify pro-Kannada ensembles
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Yediyurappa said: “I appeal to everyone, including Vatal Nagaraj, not to bother people with Karnataka Bandh. It is not required.”
The Chief Minister further said that he is doing his best to bring out all the communities, and stressed that he is doing his best to give prominence to the Kannada language.
“I have already given Kannada prominence and I am ready to do whatever it takes to make Kannada prominent,” said PTI.
‘Bandh proposed for the pride of Kannada’
Pro-Kannada organizations on Friday reiterated their position on the bandh celebration on Saturday, demanding that the government withdraw its decision to form the MDA.
Vatal Nagaraj, who will lead the agitation, said that the proposed bandh is for Kannada’s pride and accused the state government of threatening various organizations to withdraw support for the bandh.
“I want to tell Yediyurappa: remove the ” Authority ” (MDA), I will put a garland on the Vidhana Soudha. But don’t threaten us. We will not be scared,” he said in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, security has been strengthened throughout the state to avoid any adverse incidents and prevent the forced closure of stores and commercial establishments. Around 14,000 police officers will be deployed in the state to prevent any unpleasant event.
Government offices, hotels, bus and metro services will remain open during bandh.
