Discussions on the need for development of Kannada language and to check attempts to divide Karnataka were highlights of the 79th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, which kick started here today.

Chairman of the Sammelan and well-known writer K Chennabasappa exhorted the government not to support the forces which try to divide the state.

"There is no need for another Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat and the seat of power in Karnataka, and no need for regional parties also," he said.

His remarks came in the backdrop of opinions expressed recently by some favouring separate statehood for North Karnataka districts, which came in for flak from several leaders and Kannada protagonist organisation.

Chennabasappa urged people to send their wards to Kannada medium schools and wipe out the feeling that those who get education in English medium will get jobs. Government should reserve 50 per cent of jobs to those who studied in Kannada medium.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, in his inaugural address, promised that the there will be no closure of Kannada medium schools and the government was committed to all round development of the state's official language.

"Development is the main manifesto of the BJP Government in state. In the current year budget Rs 289 crore has been earmarked for Kannada and Culture department which is record in the history," Shettar, who presented his maiden budget yesterday, said.

He said formation of new taluks was a revolutionary step of BJP Government and Bijapur district got seven new taluks.

Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol, Kannada Sahita Parishat Chief Pundalika Halabi, Minister S K Bellubbbi and Opposition Congress leader in the Legislative Council S R Patil were present on the occasion.