Yediyurappa attacks Uddhav over remarks claiming parts of K’taka city

Protests erupted in parts of Karnataka on Monday, including in the district headquarters city of Belagavi on Monday, in a strong condemnation of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s statement on the sensitive border issue. Political leaders cutting across party lines came down heavily on Thackeray.

“There is no question of giving even an inch of land from Karnataka to Maharashtra.He should give up issuing statements just for political reasons,” Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa told reporters on Monday.

“I am pained at Maharashtra chief minister’s remarks that can disturb the prevailing harmonious atmosphere.I expect Shri Uddhav Thackeray, as a true Indian, to show his commitment and respect to the principles of federalism in letter and spirit,” Yediyurappa said in a tweet.

Thackeray said on Sunday his government is committed towards incorporating into the state the areas of Karnataka where Marathi-speaking people are in majority. This will be the “true tribute” to martyrs of the cause, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said in a tweet.

Maharashtra claims Belagavi (earlier called as Belgaum) and some other areas, part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency but currently in Karnataka, on linguistic grounds.

On Monday, pro-Kannada organisations held demonstrations and burnt Thackeray’s effigy in parts of the State.

Yediyurappa added on Monday that the Marathi people have been living in harmony with Kannadigas in Karnataka.

Likewise, Kannadigas living in the border districts of Maharashtra are living in harmony with the Marathi people there.

Yediyurappa condemned Thackeray’s comments saying it can disrupt the peace.