Maha parties deplore Karnataka police's FIR against R R Patil

Shiv Sena, BJP press for declaration of Belgaum as Union

In a rare show of unity, members from the treasury and opposition benches unanimously deplored registration of offence by police against the Maharashtra home minister R R Patil for allegedly creating hatered during his recent speech at Belgaum in the election bound Karnataka.

The the Karnataka police have filed two criminal cases against R R Patil for promoting enmity between two communities and for breaking the model code of conduct,

Shiv Sena and BJP made a strong pitch for the declaration of Belgaum, the disputed area between the two states— as Union Territory while treasury bench members asked chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to immediately talk to his counterpart for immediate withdrawal of offence against Patil and thereafter lead an all-party delegation to Prime Minister to take up the injustice meted out against the Marathi speaking population in the area.

Ruling and opposition members took an opportunity to once again strongly criticize the Karnataka government's decision to suppress the feelings and actions of the Marathi speaking population residing in Belgaum. The issue was raised through a point of propriety by state labour minister Hasan Mushrif in the state assembly.

Mushrif recalled that Patil during his speech on April 7 had only reiterated what both houses of the state legislature have said in resolutions calling for the protection of the interests of Marathi-speaking people in border areas. Both the houses of the state legislature have passed resolutions, saying that it was high time that the Centre stepped in to aid the merger of Marathi-speaking areas, particularly in border areas of Maharashtra.

An identical view has been expressed by the state before the SC.

Shiv Sena group leader Subhash Desai hammered the BJP led government in Karnataka for the harrassment of the Marathi speaking population as they were booked for displaying Marathi boards or saffon flag. "It is a high time  that Centre should immediately intervene and declare Belgaum as the union territory till the border dispute is resolved," he said.

Desai was supported by leader of opposition Eknath Khadse (BJP) who also expressed the need for the protection of rights of Marathi speaking people in Belgaum.

"I request the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to lead an all party delegation to take up the cause of Marathi speaking people from Belgaum to the Prime Minister," he suggested.

Moreover, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena group leader Bala Nandgaonkar said a censure motion be initiated against the Karnataka government following registration of offence against R R Patil.

Public Works minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who had entered into Belgaum  in 1987 during his tenure as Shiv Sena mayor of Mumbai civic body, insisted that the offence be withdrawan immediately against R R Patil.  "Our chief minister needs to talk to Karnataka CM in this regard," he noted.

In his reply, Chavan admitted that the issue raised by Mushrif was quite sensitive. He also recalled that resolution has been unanimously passed in the past in the legislature to protect the interests of Marathi speaking people in Belgaum.

"I will speak to Karnataka chief minister to immediately withdraw offence against RR Patil. I am ready to lead an all party delegation to Prime Minister," he added.