Maha parties slam Karnataka CM for statement on Belgaum

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's announcement that his government is mulling over giving second capital status to Belgaum has evoked sharp reactions from political parties in Maharashtra.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's announcement that his government is mulling over giving second capital status to Belgaum has evoked sharp reactions from political parties in Maharashtra.

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Maharashtra has been demanding that Marathi speaking areas of Karnataka, including Belgaum, be merged with the state.

Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP have flayed the statement of Yeddyurappa.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said Yeddyurappa was speaking out of turn. "The Maharashtra government's plea to have Belgaum and Karwar as part of the state is pending before the Supreme Court", he said.

NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, "The statement is uncalled for and we will seek legal recourse on the issue".

Sena leader Diwakar Raote said his party would oppose any attempt by the Karnataka government to impose its mandate on lakhs of Marathi-speaking people there (Belgaum).

The boundary dispute between the two states is over half- a-century old. After reorganisation of states, there has been a demand to include Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka in Maharashtra.