PANJIM, Oct 5: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar requested Kannadigas in Goa to remain loyal to the Goa government. Stressing that Kannadigas should refrain from considering themselves a formidable political force, he said, ``You may be from Karnataka, but you owe complete loyalty to the land that gives you bread.''

At the Goa Kannada Sammelan which began here last Sunday, the Speaker said that Kannadigas had no reason to be enamoured of their number, which is around three lakhs in Goa's total population of 13 lakhs.

Reminding them that Kannadigas in other states were not so fortunate to have a generous government like the Goan one, Kumar cautioned them against believing politicians' rhetoric. ``Politicians are the most ruthless people who will pick on any cause to promote themselves, and Kannadigas should not give them this opportunity,'' he added.

Chief Minister of Goa, Pratap Singh Rane, announced at the function that the Goa government would be building a road from Panjim to Belgaum in Karnataka.

As goods from Karnataka had to be transported to Goa, which is a port based state, better roads were needed, he said. Goan government would fund the project totally, he added. The chief minister also recalled how the Goa government had helped farmers from Karnataka to crush sugar cane when there was a surplus two years ago.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.