Belagavi: Belagavi as the ‘second capital’ of Karnataka, has become a chorus after the establishment of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha was established here.  
Belagavi District Kannada Organisations Action Committee (BDKOAC) has welcomed the remarks of Small Scale Industries and district in-charge minister Satish L. Jarkiholi giving “second capital” status for Belagavi.

Committee president Ashok Chandargi and Leader of the Opposition in the Belagavi City Corporation Ramesh Sontakki said here on Thursday that the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha was established with the objective of developing Belagavi into the second capital of the State. But, none of the Ministers took a decision on the matter.

“Now, Mr. Jarkiholi’s remarks to pressurise the Government and his decision to hold the first Karnataka Development Programme meeting for Belagavi at SVS on July 17 (during an interaction with media persons on Monday) has come as a shot in the arm of the struggle of Kannadigas of boundary areas for justice,” the Kannada leaders said.

Later, Mr. Chandargi said that Government should at least declare Belagavi “winter capital” of Karnataka. “Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir States have winter capitals, then why not Karnataka?” he said.

Since the Government already holds the winter sessions of the legislature every year at SVS, Belagavi has virtually assumed the status of winter capital of Karnataka but needs an official seal of the Government. Mr. Jarkiholi should take all the legislators, MPs and leaders of the district and North Karnataka region to evolve a consensus to convince Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to accord at least winter capital status to Belagavi during the special meeting promised by the Chief Minister here in August first week, Mr. Chandargi said.