‘Marathis belong to us too’: Yediyurappa on Ajit Pawar’s ‘united Maharashtra’ comment

Stoking the 70-year-long border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka over areas like Belgaum, Karwar and Nipani, Mahrashtra deputy chief minister and Karnataka chief minister locked horns on Wednesday. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was first to start as he broached the difficulty, paying tributes to Balasaheb Thackeray. Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa slammed Pawar’s assertion and mentioned these are meant for “unwanted controversy”.

“Late Balasaheb had struggled his entire life for rights of common man. He always dreamt about the overall development of Maharashtra and make a united Maharashtra including Belgaum, Karwar and Nipani. So let us decide to fulfill this dream,” the assertion from Ajit Pawar’s workplace learn. It was issued on the event of Balasaheb’s demise anniversary on November 17.

Urging Pawar to not make such statements, Karnataka chief inister mentioned, “Marathi speaking people are just like Kannadigas. They too belong to us. Maratha Development Authority has been formed for their development. Statement is just to trigger unwanted controversy. I urge him not to make such statements.”

Maharashtra claims Belgaum and the opposite areas that are a part of Karnataka as they have been a part of Bombay Presidency. Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had appointed Chhagan Bhujbal and Eknath Shinde to look into the authorized instances in regards to the border dispute.

 

Slamming the organising of Marathi Development Board, which has been introduced a couple of days in the past, opposition chief Siddaramaiah mentioned this can be a divisive step. “I strongly oppose any decision taken against the interests of Kannadigas. There are many other pressing issues that needs government assistance. @BSYBJP should look into that first to address inequality before hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas,” the previous CM tweeted.