BANGALORE: Members of the Legislative Council from all parties have urged the Government to declare Belgaum the second capital of the State to protect the interest of Kannadigas.

The demand was made during a discussion in the House on Tuesday, in view of Monday's resolution adopted by the Belgaum Taluk Panchayat seeking the merger of Belgaum district with Maharashtra. Members demanded that the Government announce that a session of the legislature will be held in Belgaum.

Prabhakara Kore (Congress), who is from Belgaum, said Kannadigas have made struggled to retain in the district vestiges of the culture of the State. "We are with the State only by virtue of geography. Psychologically, we are a distanced lot." The administration is against Kannadigas, and they are under constant threat, he said.

He said that besides countering the taluk panchayat's move, the Government should take steps to instil confidence among Kannadigas in the district.

Chandrashekar Kambar (nominated member), who hails from Belgaum district, said: "It is both shocking and revealing that a taluk panchyat can treat Kannada, the State and the Constitution with contempt."

M.P. Nadagouda (Janata Dal-United) said declaration of Belgaum as the second capital will help solve problems. `Mukhyamantri' Chandru (Bharatiya Janata Party) urged the Government to express social, cultural and political solidarity with Kannadigas in Belgaum.

Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil and other members of the House demanded that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy make a statement on the issue.

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