Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is set to move a resolution in the state Assembly today over the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute.
On Monday, the chief minister said he would move a resolution expressing solidarity with those living in the contentious boundary region with Karnataka.
Shinde also hit out at his predecessor, Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who had criticised his visit to the national capital and demanded that the Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka be declared a Union Territory.
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“We do not need any lessons from others. We are standing steadfast with those living in the boundary region. We are bringing a resolution into effect in the Assembly tomorrow [Tuesday],” Shinde told reporters on Monday.
The remarks by Shinde, who was in Delhi to participate in the Veer Bal Diwas function, came as the issue of the Maharashtra-Karnataka border row echoed in the ongoing winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly on Monday, with the Opposition demanding a resolution on the issue.
Hitting out at the former chief minister, Shinde said that Thackeray should understand the purpose of his Delhi visit before passing any judgements.
“I was here to participate in the Veer Bal Diwas function organised by the Union government to commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh,” Shinde said, adding that the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Punjab were special invitees.
After attending the Veer Bal Diwas function, Chief Minister Shinde called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at his residence.
Countering criticism from Thackeray, Shinde claimed the previous MVA government had discontinued certain government schemes in villages along Maharashtra’s border with Karnataka.
“We approved the Mhaisal expansion scheme worth Rs 2,000 crore. Eknath Shinde had faced a jail term for participating in the agitations over the boundary issue,” Shinde said when asked about Thackeray’s comments on his Delhi visit.
Shinde said the boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka was before the Supreme Court.
“For the first time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah intervened and directed the chief ministers of the two states to ensure that there is no law and order issue along the border.”
“We are taking care. Karnataka should also take care to ensure that no law and order situation arises in the border region,” Shinde said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, assured the House that a resolution on the border row would be tabled in a day or two.
“We will fight even for an inch. We will do whatever we can for the justice of the Marathi-speaking population in Karnataka,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE MAHARASHTRA-KARNATAKA BORDER DISPUTE
Since its inception in May 1960, Maharashtra has claimed that 865 villages, including Belagavi, should be merged into the state. However, Karnataka has refused to part with its territory.
Historically, Belagavi has been a part of the Kannada region and has seen many Kannadiga dynasties ruling over it.
In 1966, the Centre constituted the Mahajan Commission, headed by the then Supreme Court Chief Justice Meher Chand Mahajan, at the insistence of Maharashtra.
The commission rejected Maharashtra’s claim over Belagavi (then Belgaum) and recommended that 247 villages/places, including Jatt, Akkalkote, and Solapur, be made part of Karnataka.
The commission also declared 264 villages and places, including Nippani, Khanapur, and Nandagad, to be made part of Maharashtra.
