Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passes resolution on boundary issue with Karnataka

Reiterating its commitment to the people of 865 Marathi-speaking villages, the Maharashtra Legislature on Tuesday passed a resolution unanimously expressing its commitment for inclusion of “each and every inch” of these villages in Belagavi, Karwar, Nipani, Bidar, Bhalki and Nipani in bordering Karnataka state and “legally pursue” the case in the Supreme Court.

The resolution also took exception to the “anti-Marathi” stand of the Karnataka government.

It also expressed concern over the Karnataka administration’s “high-handedness” and “anti-Marathi” approach in the disputed areas.

The two-page resolution was tabled by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Assembly and the Council.

Also Read | If talk about new UTs begins, Mumbai should feature first: Ashwath Narayan

Both the Houses passed the resolution unanimously during the ongoing Nagpur winter session of the legislature with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi supporting the Shinde-led BSS-BJP government.

Speaker Rahul Narwekar was on the Chair in Assembly while Deputy Chairperson Dr Neelam Gorhe presided over the proceedings in Council.

The resolution was passed by a voice vote amid thumping of desks in both the Houses, which reiterated its commitment to stand by the struggle of the Marathi-speaking people.

The Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute has been going on for the last six decades but over the past one month Karnataka has taken an aggressive stand with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai stating claims over villages in Jath in Sangli district and Pandharpur in Solapur district.

Last week, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution to protect its interests and condemned that the border row had been “created” by Maharashtra.

It may be revealed, earlier this month, Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, had travelled to New Delhi while Bommai and Home Minister Araga Jnanendra too flew to the national capital and attended the meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where it was committed to maintain status quo and diffuse tensions along the border.

In Maharashtra, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi had lashed out at the Shinde-Fadnavis for keeping quiet on Bommai’s broadside.

“The Centre should urge the Karnataka government to implement the decision taken in the meeting with the Union Home Minister and the government should be given the understanding to guarantee the safety of the Marathi people in the border areas,” the resolution reads.