Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday turned the heat on the Union government and sought more sympathy for the State in its long-standing border dispute with Karnataka.
Replying to discussions in the Legislature, he demanded that the disputed areas in Karnataka be made Union Territory until the Supreme Court decided on the case filed by the State.
Mr. Chavan slammed the government of India's recent affidavit. He said language was an important criterion for being included in a particular State.
The Legislature witnessed protests on the plight of Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka and a resolution was passed in the Assembly, reflecting the State's unhappiness with the Centre's affidavit and the law and order situation in the border areas. Expressing solidarity with the affected people, the resolution asked the Centre to reconsider its affidavit.
On Wednesday, the Chief Minister will lead an all-party delegation, including MPs and legislators, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise him of the State's sentiments.
The demand for making the disputed areas Union Territory will be placed before him.
In the Assembly, Mr. Chavan urged the Centre to maintain status quo and ensure that human rights were not trampled upon in the disputed areas. He criticised Karnataka for not maintaining law and order and going in for a change in the name of Belgaum and holding Assembly sessions there to inflame passions. “I am going to tell the Centre that there should not be any change in the disputed areas until the case is decided in the Supreme Court. These things must be stopped.”
Bus services stopped
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has stopped its services to Karnataka for two days as four of its buses suffered damage in violence.
