You can't demand a separate nation: Siddaramaiah on Congress Lok Sabha member DK Suresh's remark

Karnataka's lone Congress Lok Sabha member DK Suresh's threat of demanding separation of South India from the North has been met with resistance from within his own party in the state.

Suresh's remark drew flak from Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who said that you can only ask for what belongs to you, not for a separate nation in a federal government. However, he added, the state had not got a fair deal in the budget, partly echoing Suresh's sentiments.

The Karnataka Congress, however, has declared that it would hold a protest in Delhi on February 7 against "step motherly treatment of the State by the BJP government in the Centre."


Karnataka's leader of Opposition R Ashok used the opportunity to mock AICC leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying his party's MP's mindset was the same one that had led to the partition of India. "On the one hand, Rahul Gandhi is doing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, (and) on the other hand, Congress MP and KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar's brother, D K Suresh calls for Bharat Todo," he said.

Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra condemned Suresh as well, saying that he should have spoken responsibly, being an MP.