The Hindu : Karnataka News : Belgaum to be ‘second capital’

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Monday, Aug 27, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Belgaum to be ‘second capital’

Staff Correspondent

Deve Gowda’s statement comes as a ‘surprise’ to Kumaraswamy, Yediyurappa

HISTORIC: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy laying the foundation stone for Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belgaum on Sunday. Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (left), Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil, and Minister for Public Works and Energy H.D. Revanna, are with him.

Belgaum: On the “momentous” and “historic” occasion of foundation stone laying for the “Suvarna Vidhana Soudha” in Belgaum on Sunday, the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government gave a double treat the people with the former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo, H.D. Deve Gowda declaring Belgaum as “second capital” of Karnataka to a huge applause from the thousands of people gathered. Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy, who endorsed his father’s views, said a “forum” had been created to develop Belgaum as second capital of the State.

To begin with, Mr. Kumarswamy laid the foundation stone for 18 development works pertaining to the Ministry of Public Works and Energy headed by H.D. Revanna estimated at Rs. 1,075 crore, most of them in Belgaum district and a Rs. 27-crore project on laying railway line to Bagalkot.

Mr. Deve Gowda’s announcement came as a surprise to Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, if not to Mr. Kumarswamy himself. The former Prime Minister himself indicated that he had not informed about it to the two leaders.

Mr. Deve Gowda said the credit for developing Belgaum into second capital should go to the coalition government and not to any political party. Although there had been demand for holding legislature session and establishment of High Court Bench in north Karnataka from major cities, the Government had decided to develop Belgaum into second capital. He said although the Government was highly ambitious and looking forward to speed up development, it did not have the required funds. The Government had to approach the Centre for financial support besides putting in more efforts to augment revenues.

Reading from a written speech with poetic references describing Belgaum such as “Kashmir of Karnataka”, Mr. Kumarswamy said the occasion brought him great satisfaction. The Government would ensure expeditious construction of the building and it would be inaugurated next year. Mr. Yediyurappa, who presided over the programme, said the building would be inaugurated during the tenure of the coalition government. Of the Rs. 230 crore sanctioned, the Government had released Rs. 70 crore and work entrusted to a contractor.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Krishna, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Sachidanand Khot, Ministers Shahikant A. Naik, Balachandra Jarkiholi, Govind Karjol, C.M. Udasi, Basavaraj Horatti, Jagdish Shettar, H.D. Revanna and Shivanna Naik, MP Suresh Angadi, and legislators from Belgaum district Laxman Saudi, Abhay Patil, and Mahadevappa Yadwad, and the former Mayor Siddangouda Patil were present.

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