Belagavi-based political party Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti has announced that it will nominate candidates in two Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka. Mahadev Patil will be its candidate in Belagavi and Niranjan Sardesai in Uttara Kannada (erstwhile Canara) seat.
Both the candidates, however, will contest as independents as MES is a registered party, but not a recognised party. They will get priority in the allotment of free symbols, but cannot claim exclusive symbols as per provisions of the Representation of People’s Act.
Since the 1950s, MES has been seeking merger of all Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka from Khanapur in Belagavi to Aurad in Bidar with Maharashtra. It has been working with the Maharashtra government to enrol Marathi speakers in 865 villages and towns in Karnataka in the Mahatma Phule health scheme of the neighbouring State.