BJP and Congress leaders involved in a heated exchange of words during a meeting convened in Dharwad on Monday to decide the next course of action on the demand for a municipal corporation.
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The indefinite agitation seeking bifurcation of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation to create a municipal corporation for Dharwad going on for the last 25 days has now been suspended till July 8.
A decision to this effect was taken after discussion with representatives of various organisations and political party leaders at Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha in Dharwad on Monday.
It was announced at the agitation site by activist, advocate and president of Separate Municipal Corporation Agitation Committee B.D. Hiremath.
Announcing the decision, Mr. Hiremath, however, clarified that the agitation is being temporarily suspended but it will continue till the creation of a municipal corporation for Dharwad.
“As a new government has been formed, more time is required for decisions and movement of files at the government level. Keeping it in mind, the agitation is being suspended, but drawing the attention of the government to the issue and providing the requisite information will continue,” he said.
Mr. Hiremath also announced that if the new government fails to act on the issue and carve out a municipal corporation for Dharwad by July 8, then, they will be forced to continue their indefinite day and night agitation starting July 9.
Earlier in the meeting called at Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha to decide the next course of action, local BJP and Congress leaders almost came to blows while discussing the issue of whether to continue the agitation or suspend it.
As the situation seemed to go out of control, Mr. Hiremath intervened. He was then forced to shift the meeting to the protest site.
Participating in the discussion, Congress leaders Shivashankar Hampannavar and Nagaraj Gouri told the meeting that the Chief Minister’s office has written to Mr. Hiremath seeking time to take decision on the issue.
In the wake of it, it will be better to suspend the agitation, give some time to the government and in the failure of any action, resume the agitation, they suggested.
Their suggestion, however, was not acceptable to BJP leaders like Shivu Hiremath and others who reminded Congress leaders of their statement about getting an order issued within 48 hours of the Governor’s approval to the resolution on bifurcation. They wanted the meeting to set a deadline of 15 days.
As the disagreement between both the party leaders escalated leading to verbal duel, Mr. Hiremath intervened to pacify them.
Senior advocate C.S. Neginahal too appealed to the participants not to politicise the issue. However, both the party leaders again started a verbal duel and at one point of time, they almost came to blows.
An upset Mr. Hiremath announced shifting the meeting venue to the protest site where he announced suspending the agitation till July 8.
Earlier, activist and former bureaucrat Venkatesh Machakanur mentioned about Urban Development Minister Yatindra Siddaramaiah being positive towards creating a municipal corporation for Dharwad and emphasised the need for a united fight.
Activist Manoj Patil expressed dismay over the fight between the Congress and the BJP and stressed the need for a united fight. Janata Dal(S) leader Gururaj Hunasimarad talked about focussing on the work to be done at the government level.
A host of activists, including Mahadev Horatti, Vittal Kammara, Ravi Malager, Vijay Shettar and others, Mayor Jyoti Patil and several HDMC councillors took part in the meeting.
Published – June 08, 2026 08:13 pm IST
