Maharashtra Karnataka Border Row: As Shinde Raises Issues Again, Bommai Advises Against It

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai responded to the recent border issue raked up by neighbouring Maharashtra saying the CM should not indulge in intensifying the issues between the states.

Speaking to reporters at his residence, Bommai said it has been decided to provide special grant for the development of Kannada schools in Maharashtra.

Karnataka will also provide pension to Kannadigas settled in Maharashtra who fought for the unification and freedom of Karnataka as well as Goa’s liberation.

This comes close on the heels of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's announcement that a high-level delegation would soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the long-pending border issue. 

This was after he appointed two ministers Chandrakant Patil and Shambhuraj Desai to work with the legal team on the case which is now being heard by the apex court.

Maharashtra had also announced that freedom fighters ‘in the areas claimed by Maharashtra but in the administrative control of Karnataka’ will also be covered under the pension scheme, as reported.

His counterpart, Bommai speaking to reporters on Monday ( 21 November) said Karnataka too has formed a strong team of advocates to resolve the border issue.

Bommai said a meeting regarding the border issue was held which a senior team of advocates, Mukul Rohtagi, Shyam Diwan, Karnataka's Uday Holla, Belagavi's Maruti Jirle and Raghupathy attended. The team has met two to three times and decided what should be their line of argument in the border row.

"I will be holding a video conference with the advocates team on Tuesday. Letters will be sent to Leaders of Opposition in both the Houses regarding the steps taken by the government in this regard. We are fully prepared to argue our case in the Supreme Court".

The CM, as per a release by the CMO, said the application filed by the Maharashtra government has not been considered and so far it has not got its maintainability and it may not get also. 

“Discussion is going on regarding its maintainability. The apex court has not considered the main case and it may not be maintainable. The Government of Karnataka will argue not to consider the application filed by the Maharashtra State.

"The Reorganisation of States Act was formed as per Column 3 of the Constitution, and there are no examples of reviewing it as such a situation has not arisen," the statement said.

Bommai also said the border row has become a political tool in Maharashtra and any party which is in power will raise this issue for political purposes. But they have not been successful yet and will not be in the future also.

"We are capable of protecting the borders of Karnataka and have taken steps also. We have worked together when it comes to land, language and water of Karnataka and have fought jointly. No one has the right to change the Reorganisation of States Act".