The demand for a separate Dharwad municipal corporation (DMC) gained significant momentum on Monday as the Congress party officially extended its support to the movement. Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA Prasad Abbayya visited the protest site near the HDMC office in Dharwad, expressing solidarity with the agitators and reinforcing the political backing for the cause.
Protest Enters 11th Day
The protest, which has been ongoing for 11 days, saw members of various organizations continuing their sit-in demonstration. The agitators are demanding an independent civic body for Dharwad, arguing that a separate corporation would ensure better administrative efficiency and focused development for the region.
Congress Corporators Resign in Protest
In a symbolic yet powerful gesture, 12 Congress corporators from Dharwad urban and rural areas submitted their resignation letters to their respective Block Congress presidents. This move was intended to express resentment over the delay in the Governor granting assent to the Bill for the formation of the new corporation. The resignations are seen as a strategic effort to draw the government's attention and intensify the agitation.
From the Hubballi-Dharwad-74 constituency, corporators Kavita Kabber, Shambhu Salmani, Dr. Mayur More, Parveen Desai, Ganesh Mudhol, Bilkisbanu Mulla, and Manjunath Badakuri handed over their resignations to Block Congress president Gauri. Similarly, from the Rural-71 constituency, corporators Rajashekhar Kamati, Suravva Patil, Dilshad Begum Nadaf, Deepa Neeralakatti, and Prakash Ghatage submitted their letters to Block Congress president Aravind Eganagoudar.
The corporators stated that safeguarding Dharwad’s self-respect and protecting its interests were more important than holding public posts. They emphasized that their positions would become meaningless if a separate corporation was not formed. The resignations, they added, were aimed at compelling the government to act and to amplify the agitation's impact.
Religious and Community Leaders Extend Support
The movement also received support from prominent religious and community leaders. Murugha Mutt seer Mallikarjun Swamiji, members of the Christian Catholic community, representatives of the Holy Cross Church, and members of the Vishwakarma community voiced their solidarity with the agitators. They urged the government to establish a separate corporation for Dharwad, highlighting the need for administrative efficiency and balanced development in the region.
The growing support from various sections of society underscores the widespread demand for a separate Dharwad municipal corporation, with stakeholders emphasizing that such a move would address long-standing developmental concerns and improve governance.
