Assembly session in Belgaum

In a move to assert its right over the city, and to quell criticism that Karnataka was neglecting the northern areas of the state, the state Government in September 2006 convened a five-day Assembly session in Belgaum. It was the first time the Assembly was meeting outside Bangalore. The Government also declared that Belgaum would be made the second capital of the state and that a mini-Vidhan Soudha would be built there, besides declaring that a joint legislative session would be held there annually.

Recent developments

On January 16, 2009, the nine-day winter session of the Karnataka legislature began in Belgaum, amidst vociferous protests by the MES. The state police reportedly detained pro-Marathi activists who were planning to hold “Mahamelava” to protest against the holding of the session and also for stoning a bus and police jeep. The Shiv Sena has threatened to snap ties with the BJP if the Y S Yeddyurappa-led state government continues to remain passive about the “harassment” being meted out to the Marathi people of Karnataka and has alleged that the “Chief Minister is heaping grave atrocities” on them. Meanwhile, the Congress in Karnataka has accused the BJP-led state Government of helping the Shiv Sena gain a foothold in the state. On Monday, the Congress demanded that Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka be declared a Union Territory until the Supreme Court decides on the issue. It has also said the Assembly session in Belgaum is “is rubbing salt into the wounds of the Marathi people in Belgaum”. However, the Karnataka Chief Minister has denied the allegations and said that Kannadigas and Marathi-speaking people in the state are “living like brothers”.