Pro-Kannada bodies call for bandh on December 5 against MDA

Bengaluru: Over 50 pro-Kannada organisations have called for State bandh on December 5 opposing government's decision to set up the Maratha Development Authority (MDA).

"Many pro-Kannada organisation across the State have come forwarded offering support to the proposed bandh. We will show our strength of Kannadigas unity against State government's decision to form Maratha Development Authority (MDA)," said Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha chief, Vatal Nagaraj.

Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa had on November 13 announced setting up the MDA with Rs 50 crore corpus for the overall development of the Marathas in the State.

The move has received flak from various sections of the people terming it as anti-Kannada and a political gimmick to win the Basavakalyan Assembly segment in Bidar district and Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency bordering Maharashtra where by-elections are due. The pro-Kannada groups and unions are now demanding that the government withdraw the decision.

According to the reports, autorickshaws and cabs will not operate on December 5 as the auto drivers and taxi unions have extend their support. Several pro-Kannada organisations like Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha (KCVP) and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Shivarame Gowda) have decided to conduct protest across the State starting from Saturday.