Maharashtra CM to lead all-party delegation to Centre on Belgaum issue

Political parties in Maharashtra have united to press for inclusion of Belgaum, in Karnataka but populated by Marathi speakers, in the state. They have also unanimously demanded that till the dispute between the two states is resolved, Belgaum be declared a Union Territory.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has agreed to lead an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister in this regard. The trigger was the Karnataka government’s recent decision to dissolve the Belgaum civic body after the mayor and deputy mayor participated in a march to protest against the usage of Kannada. The Karnataka government’s move has led to agitations across Maharashtra and prompted Belgaum merger proponents to make a fresh plea to state leaders.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has been placed in an uncomfortable position, as it rules Karnataka. The ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party coalition in Maharashtra, as also the opposition Shiv Sena and smaller parties have demanded dissolution of the Karnataka government for the alleged excesses on Marathi speakers in Belgaum and adjoining areas. The BJP has not joined this demand, though it has also criticised dissolution of the Belgaum civic body.

The Assembly, during its ongoing winter session, has also unanimously demanded that the central government take action against the Karnataka government for dissolving the Belgaum city corporation and appointing an administrator. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the Karnataka government’s step against a linguistic minority was “unjust and unfair”.

NCP veteran and state public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who during his stint in the Shiv Sena had led an agitation in Belgaum in the 1980s, says the injustice against Marathi speakers would not be tolerated.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not taking any action for resolution of the boundary dispute. He alleged the move to dissolve the Belgaum municipality was taken as the Karnataka government could not digest the fact that the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti was still ruling it.

Political parties have also decided to push the case in this regard filed before the SC, for early resolution of the issue.