Belgaum should be UT, says Uddhav
Uddhav accuses K’taka of deliberately changing Belgaum’s name
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has demanded that the Marathi speaking villages at the border region with Karnataka be declared as a Union Territory. He has also threatened to make Belgaum a part of Maharashtra.
Thackeray accused the Karnataka government of deliberately changing the name of Belgaum despite the matter is in court and making the city deputy capital of the state.
“Looking at the atrocities of Marathi-speaking people in disputed border areas, our government will urge the Supreme Court to declare the disputed area as a Union Territory as long the case is in court,” Thackeray said on Wednesday.
“Despite the matter being in court, the Karnataka government deliberately changed the name of Belgaum city. They made Belgaum the second capital where they also held an
Assembly session. Maharashtra is following the rule of law but the Karnataka government does not. We should all come together to put an end to their arrogance. We will strive hard to bring the border region in Maharashtra for sure,” he said after a meeting with the High
Power Committee constituted for the border dispute with Karnataka.
For decades, Belgaum has been the subject of a bitter dispute between the two neighbouring states.
Uddhav Thackeray had earlier claimed that the Karnataka government is “committing atrocities” on Marathi-speaking people living in Belgaum, Karwar, Nipani and also accused the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘siding’ with neighbouring Karnataka, which has a BJP government in power.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said, “This matter is in the Supreme Court and this is our last option. When we have one option left then we have to prepare for it very well, and we have to win it. If this is not done now, then I don’t think it will happen anytime.”
Earlier too, Thackeray in his recent tweet had backed incorporating Marathispeaking areas in Karnataka into Maharashtra. “Bringing Karnataka-occupied Marathi-speaking areas into Maharashtra will be a true tribute to those who accepted martyrdom in the boundary battle. We are united and committed towards it,” he had said in his tweet.
Thackeray said a timebound action plan is needed to win the legal battle and ensure the Marathispeaking leadership and people in those areas of Karnataka remained united.
matter being in court, the Karnataka government deliberately changed the name of Belgaum
city. They made Belgaum the second capital where they also
held an Assembly session. Maharashtra is following the rule of law but the Karnataka
government does not. — UDDHAV THACKERAY Maharashtra Chief Minister