K'taka CM : ".. Marathi speaking people also belong to us"
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Bengaluru, Nov 19 : Initially Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister triggered the Belgaum border dispute, to which the Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has condemned. Pawar mentioned the dispute as an attempt to incite fire.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar raised the Belgaum dispute issue in the memory of Balasaheb Thackeray stating that Maharashtra's all-round growth and incorporating Belagavi, Karwar and Nipani, areas of Karnataka which have substantial Marathi-speaking population, were dreams of Bal Thackeray. He said, "Let's resolve to fulfil Balasaheb's dream," while paying tributes to Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray on his eight death anniversary.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa condemned these statements of Pawar and stated, "I condemn Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's statement that Belgaum and other places belong to them. It is not right for him to make such statements. The whole world knows the Mahajan Committee report is the final report." He further added that, "Just like Kannadigas, Marathi speaking people also belong to us."
The Mahajan Committee was formed in 1966 with an aim to resolve the border disputes of Karnataka with the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Kerala, by the Central Government. The committee recommended in 1967 that 264 villages shall be transferred to Maharashtra. This included some village in Haliyal, Karwar and Suparna Taluks as well. On the other hand, Belgaum and 247 villages were to remain with Karnataka. The report was refuted by both Kerala and Maharashtra.