Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday condemned the demand for a separate state of North Karnataka and then lashed out at the media for "encouraging'' the demands by holding discussions on the issue.
"My media friends, you are responsible for lighting the fire for protests in North Karnataka with all the discussions on channels. I am not against farmers; I am only quoting the farmers in Koppal who were protesting for the full farmer loan waiver," he said, responding to questions over the elevated corridor project in Bengaluru.
The movement for a separate North Karnataka state was initially supported by prominent BJP leaders Umesh Katti and B Sriramulu.
CM Kumaraswamy landed in trouble after he reportedly scoffed at demands made by farmer groups of Koppal district.
The opposition BJP has accused Kumaraswamy of insulting the Constitution.
“By asking them (farmer groups in Koppal) whether they have voted for him to demand a loan waiver, the chief minister has not only exhibited arrogance but has also violated and insulted the Constitution," leader of the opposition, BS Yeddyurappa said.
The demand has been the subject of numerous articles and television debates over the past week after a bandh was called on August 2 seeking separate statehood for North Karnataka and this seems to have irked Kumaraswamy.
"You don't have any other issue to talk about. Why are you quoting me then? I have not said anything. I have only asked you to think about who has said wrong things. Every day you are showing that something has happened in North Karnataka. The people there are not asking for this. The people are in favour of the government; you have created this. I only ask you to ask your conscience about this," he said addressing media persons.
He repeatedly claimed out that it was the media which had 'intensified' the demand for a separate state and added that he continues to have the support of the people.
Several JD(S) and Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Tran
ಉತ್ತರ-ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಭೇದ ನಮಗಿಲ್ಲ.ನಮ್ಮದು ಒಂದೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ. ಅದು ಅಖಂಡ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 30, 2018
ಚಾರಿತ್ರಿಕ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಕೆಲವು ಭಾಗಗಳು ಹಿಂದುಳಿದಿರುವುದು ನಿಜ. ಅವುಗಳ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ದಿ ಗೆ ಒತ್ತು ನೀಡುವ ಪ್ರಾದೇಶಿಕ ನ್ಯಾಯದ ಪರವಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷ ಇದೆ.#ಅಖಂಡಕರ್ನಾಟಕನಮ್ಮಬದ್ದತೆ @INCKarnataka
BJP leader Sriramulu, who had initially supported the demand, issued a clarification on Monday saying that there was no question of supporting the demand for a separate North Karnataka state.
Several BJP leaders from the southern part of the state, including CT Ravi and Shobha Karandlaje, have opposed the demand.