From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 19: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed noisy scenes over the appointment of a nodal officer by the State Government for establishing Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Dharwad.

Vehemently opposing the appointment of the nodal officer, legislators from Raichur district urged the State Government in the Assembly on Thursday to immediately withdraw the notification for appointing Rajendra Chola as the nodal officer, as establishment of IIT at Dharawad was not final.

The BJP members welcomed the Centre’s decision to set up the institute at Dharwad.

From the day one of the announcement, the BJP viewed that Dharwad is an ideal location for the setting up the institute.

During the zero hour, JD(S) members from Raichur - Manappa Vajjal, Shivaraj Patil – stood on their feet and exhibited placards seeking establishment of IIT at Raichur.

Ruling Congress party member A S Patil Nadahalli also supported the demand of JD(S) members.

Vajjal and Patil entered into heated argument with the government.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said that the government would convince the people and was making all efforts to shift IIT from Dharwad to Raichur.

JD(S) members contended that there was widespread protest in Raichur district for the last few days after the government appointed nodal officer to set up IIT at Dharawad. 

After the Union government announced setting up IIT at Dharwad, there were demands that it should be set up in Hyderabad-Karnataka region. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written a letter to Union government demanding the shifting of the location of the institute from Dharwad to Raichur.