Kharge: Bengaluru Gets 'Buffet', We Wait; End Regional Imbalance
13 Jan 2026 2:38 AM IST13 Jan 2026 2:38 AM IST
“Until teacher vacancies are filled, real development in this region cannot happen,” he asserted.
Mallikarjun Kharge
Kalaburagi: Using a striking metaphor to highlight regional imbalance, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said Kalyana Karnataka had been left “waiting in line” while cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru enjoyed a “buffet” of development.
He was speaking at the program in Yadrami in Kalaburagi district.
Referring to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s remark that he would have liked to be born in Kalyana Karnataka, Kharge used a sharp metaphor to underline regional imbalance. He said cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru functioned like a “buffet”, where those who arrived first took everything, while regions such as Kalyana Karnataka were made to wait their turn. “Stop the buffet system. Serve everyone equally and earn a good name,” he said.
“You need not be born here, and we do not want to be born there either. What we want is equal attention and equal development,” he said.
Kharge said that the region’s chronic backwardness was not due to a lack of infrastructure alone, but because of a severe shortage of teachers in government schools.
“In many places, schools, buildings and officers exist, but there are no teachers. How can village children learn in such a situation?” he asked.
Kharge pointed out that districts such as Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir and Bidar continued to lag behind despite having basic facilities. While those with means could send their children to English-medium schools and secure jobs, he said children of farmers, labourers and poor families were being left behind. “Until teacher vacancies are filled, real development in this region cannot happen,” he asserted.
Emphasising the urgency of the issue, Kharge urged the government to fill the teacher posts, giving first priority to Kalyana Karnataka.
“Teach under a tree if needed, but give teachers to our children. After filling vacancies here, you can look at Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru,” he said, drawing applause.
“I am not instigating anyone,” Kharge said, adding that he was only voicing the concerns of the people,” he appealed.
Kharge also recalled pressing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to secure special status for the region under Article 371(J).
Referring to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s remark that he would have liked to be born in Kalyana Karnataka, Kharge used a sharp metaphor to underline regional imbalance. He said cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru functioned like a “buffet”, where those who arrived first took everything, while regions such as Kalyana Karnataka were made to wait their turn. “Stop the buffet system. Serve everyone equally and earn a good name,” he said.
“You need not be born here, and we do not want to be born there either. What we want is equal attention and equal development,” he said.
Kharge said that the region’s chronic backwardness was not due to a lack of infrastructure alone, but because of a severe shortage of teachers in government schools.
“In many places, schools, buildings and officers exist, but there are no teachers. How can village children learn in such a situation?” he asked.
Kharge pointed out that districts such as Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir and Bidar continued to lag behind despite having basic facilities. While those with means could send their children to English-medium schools and secure jobs, he said children of farmers, labourers and poor families were being left behind. “Until teacher vacancies are filled, real development in this region cannot happen,” he asserted.
Emphasising the urgency of the issue, Kharge urged the government to fill the teacher posts, giving first priority to Kalyana Karnataka.
“Teach under a tree if needed, but give teachers to our children. After filling vacancies here, you can look at Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru,” he said, drawing applause.
“I am not instigating anyone,” Kharge said, adding that he was only voicing the concerns of the people,” he appealed.
Kharge also recalled pressing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to secure special status for the region under Article 371(J).
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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