From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 15: Strongly criticizing neighbouring Maharashtra government’s move to launch Health Insurance Scheme in 865 villages in Karnataka’s border districts, KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over the BJP government’s failure to protect the interests of the State in the border regions.

“Bommai has lost the moral right to continue in power,’’ Shivakumar said in a statement and said the Maharashtra move to launch health insurance scheme in Karnataka’s border districts is an insult and encroachment on the sovereign rights of the Kannadigas.

The KPCC Chief said he will be rushing to Belagavi on Thursday and hold discussions with local leaders and chalk out the party’s protest plan to protect the rights, self-respect and interests of the people of Karnataka.

“We are ready to lay down our lives to protect and safeguard the interests of Karnataka with respect to its borders, water and language. There is no question of allowing even an inch of land to be parted to Maharashtra. We will never allow Maharashtra to take up any work in our own State,’’ he declared.

Shivakumar said the issue pertains to the self-respect of Kannadigas. “Are we and our government is incapable of looking after the health of our own people. Why should neighbouring State launch health insurance scheme in our villages? Are there short of funds and has the State Government gone bankrupt,’’ he asked.

The KPCC Chief called upon all pro-Kannada organisations, writers, film personalities and intelligentsia to rise up in protest and work unitedly to protect the interests and self-respect of Kannadigas.

He accused the Bommai-led BJP government for neglecting and sacrificing the interests of Karnataka for its narrow political gains and said Eknath Shinde government’s move proves weakness and ineffective of the BJP.