As the move by the Congress government to set up a panel for this purpose ahead of the state Assembly polls due in 2018 came under attack, the Centre made it clear there is no provision in the Constitution for a separate flag for any state, and that the tricolour is the only flag for India.

If the flag comes into being, Karnataka will be the second state to have its official flag after Jammu and Kashmir, which enjoys a special status under Article 370 of the Constitution.