Uddhav Thackeray releases book on Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue

Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic

At an event in Mumbai, the Maharashtra government released a book by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Maharashtra-Karnataka Border dispute. The Marathi language book named 'Maharashtra-Karnataka Border dispute: Struggle & determination' will discuss his stand on the issue.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, state Congress chief and minister Balasaheb Thorat, and others present at the event.

Earlier, Thackeray in a tweet had said that including "Karnataka-occupied Marathi speaking and cultural areas in Maharashtra will be the true tribute to those who were martyred in the boundary dispute and we are committed towards it".

In November , deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had said that Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray struggled his entire life for the state's overall development and to unite Maharashtra by merging Belgaum, Karwar and Nipani with the state. "Let us be determined to fulfil this dream."

On the other hand, Karnataka deputy CM Laxman Savadi demanded that Mumbai be included as a part of the Karnataka. Savadi also said that the Central government should declare Mumbai as a Union Territory.

"Earlier, we (parts of Belagavi) were a part of Mumbai region. My demand and the demand of the people in this region is that Mumbai be attached to Karnataka...I demand that the Central government ensure that Mumbai should be declared a Union territory. The issue will be resolved once we demand Mumbai," he said.

Karnataka's deputy chief minister said the Mahajan Commission's report about the disputed area is final. "We are confident that the judgement will arrive in our favour (Karnataka) in the Supreme Court, whatever may be the petition submitted," he added.

Earlier, Thackeray accused the Karnataka government of deliberately changing the name of the disputed Belagavi district to 'Belgaum' while the matter is in court, and threatened to make it a part of Maharashtra.

"Despite the matter being in court, the Karnataka government deliberately changed the name of the disputed region to Belgaum. They made Belgaum the second capital where they also held an assembly session. Here, we think about the law but Karnataka does not. We will bring that part in Maharashtra for sure if we all come together," he said.

The dispute began after States Reorganisation Act of 1956 made Belgaum and 10 talukas of Bombay State (formerly part of erstwhile Bombay Presidency) a part of the then (then Mysore state).

The issue of the disputed border area has been pending in the Supreme Court for several years. Belagavi, Karwar and Nipani are a part of Karnataka and have Marathi-speaking people.

Right from the beginning, Maharashtra has asserted its claim over these districts while the Karnataka government has opposed the assertion.

(With agency inputs)