The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border row, reiterating Maharashtra’s claim to the villages in the disputed region and condemning the “atrocities” meted out by the Karnataka administration against the Marathi-speaking population in the region.
The resolution was moved in the Assembly by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today. The resolution in the Maharashtra Assembly came a week after the Karnataka Assembly passed its own resolution stating that it will “not cede an inch of land to Maharashtra”.
The resolution reiterated Maharashtra’s claim that there were 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka and asserted that it would stand behind the Marathi people in border areas and ensure victory in the legal fight in Supreme Court so that these areas become a part of Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Assembly resolution also condemned Karnataka for “oppressing and terrorising the Marathi population” and also for its “anti-Marathi stand in border areas.”
“All the necessary legal pursuits will be done in the Supreme Court to include Belgaum, Karvar, Nipani, Bhalki, Bidar cities and 865 Marathi-speaking villages of Karnataka in Maharashtra under any circumstances,” the resolution tabled by the Maharashtra Chief Minister stated.
The resolution further urged the Centre to ask Karnataka to abide by the agreement reached during Home minister Amit Shah’s meeting with the chief ministers of both states.
“The Central government should urge the Karnataka government to implement the decision taken in the meeting with Union Home Minister and it should be given an understanding to guarantee the safety of the Marathi people in the border areas,” the resolution added.
Amit Shah meets CMs of Karnataka, Maharashtra
On December 14, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and his Karnataka counterpart Bommai met Shah in Delhi following a flare-up between the two states amid the ongoing border row, leading to violence in several parts. During the meeting, Shah had asked the CMs of both states to set up a six-member joint ministerial panel to deal with the dispute and not make any territorial claims till the Supreme Court pronounces its verdict on the border row.
The resolution came after protests by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents slamming the delay by the NDA government.
The development comes a week after Karnataka passed a similar resolution stating that the state will not cede an inch of land to Maharashtra. The resolution which was moved by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was adopted by a voice vote.
Opposition stages demonstration in Vidhan Sabha
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Opposition members led by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve staged a demonstration by taking out a foot march like ‘warkaris’ do while setting out on a pilgrimage to a temple of Lord Vitthal in Pandharpur town in the Maharashtra legislature complex. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray, Congress leader Nana Patole and others took part in the demonstration.
They rang bells and chanted slogans, and accused Shinde and other state ministers of indulging in corruption.