Sena, BJP divided on border issue

Cracks have developed between saffron allies Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party as they have taken different stands on the demand for Union Territory status for border areas in Karnataka which have a substantial Marathi population.

Cracks have developed between saffron allies Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party as they have taken different stands on the demand for Union Territory status for border areas in Karnataka which have a substantial Marathi population.

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Sena leader and MLC Ramdas Kadam reiterated Sena chief Bal Thackeray and party executive president Uddhav Thackeray’s demand that the disputed areas be governed by the Centre till the SC decides on the issue.

But Opposition leader in the Assembly and BJP legislator Eknath Khadse said, “We are not in favour of this demand because we don’t trust the (Cong-led) Union government.” The Sena-BJP’s alliance in the state is more than 25 years old.

The BJP is in power in Karnataka. Despite this, the party’s state unit has taken an anti-Karanataka stand. “We (state BJP) are clear on the issue, but we don’t want any such action (like UT status).”

Uddhav made the demand for UT status on Tuesday. A couple of hours later, CM Ashok Chavan reiterated the demand in the Council. Kadam said the Sena was firm on its demand. “We don’t care if Congress or BJP don’t support us.”