The Opposition on Thursday cried foul over Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan's statement seeking Union Territory status for the disputed Belgaum-Karwar region on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border.
In the Legislative Council where Mr. Chavan had made the contentious statement, Opposition member Ramdas Kadam moved a breach of privilege motion against the Chief Minister.
On Wednesday, an all-party delegation from Maharashtra met and handed over a resolution to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It made no mention of the demand for Union Territory.
Furore
On Thursday, the Opposition raised a furore over Mr. Chavan's ambiguous positions. “The Chief Minister has rubbed salt on the wounds of the Marathi-speaking people in the 865 villages in Belgaum, Karwar and Nippani. Injustice is being done to them. The State should clarify its stand,” Mr. Kadam said.
State Home Minister R.R. Patil said that previously when a delegation of corporators led a protest in Mumbai, they had asked for the Union Territory status till the dispute was resolved in court. However, the residents wanted to be part of Maharashtra, Mr. Patil said.
“We are for Belgaum”
In an attempt to clear the air, Mr. Patil said: “Everyone is in consensus that Belgaum should be a part of Maharashtra. The 10 crore people of Maharashtra stand by the people of Belgaum.”
