'Said nothing wrong': Congress MP backs his 'separate country for South' remark

Karnataka Congress MP DK Suresh on Thursday backed his "separate country" for South India remark and said the thought persists in the public's mind. He alleged that the Centre was being discriminatory towards Karnataka and was denying funds for important projects.

"I have said nothing wrong. This thought is there in the public's mind. The discrimination the government is doing towards Karnataka, we are losing taxes, there is drought," DK Suresh told India Today TV when asked about his remark on a separate country.

He also said that Karnataka was getting a "step-motherly" treatment by the Centre. "Why have Amit Shah and PM Modi not given us funds? Isn't this step-motherly treatment? They didn't allow Mekedatu and Kalasa Banduri projects and there were no funds for Upper Bhards despite being promised. There are also no funds for drought," he added.

DK Suresh sparked a controversy in February this year after he demanded a "separate country" for South India, claiming that Karnataka was not receiving "enough funds" from the Centre.

"Funds that were supposed to reach the South are getting diverted and distributed to North India," he had claimed.

DK Suresh said that there was no other choice but to ask for a "separate country" as a "result of the situation that the Hindi region has imposed on South India".

DK Suresh filed his nomination in Ramnagara, from the Bengaluru Rural seat. The constituency was previously held by former PM HD Deve Gowda and former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy.

The Congress MP promised that the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project would be brought in, after clearance from the Centre.

"We're working on the Mekedatu project with our own land and money. Water is flowing from Karnataka. The government has to tackle this issue with the tribunal. We have a commitment and we'll abide by it. We're only waiting for Centre's clearance," he said.

Bangalore Rural has been facing the maximum water scarcity. DK Suresh assured that within six months, the water issue would be resolved.