MUMBAI: Stoking a fresh controversy amid the Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary conflict, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut said on Wednesday the opposition would enter Karnataka like "China has entered the country".
Raut was responding to reports of both houses of Karnataka legislature passing a resolution on the border dispute with Maharashtra and Karnataka CM Basavraj Bommai statement that till the issue (border dispute) is settled, not an inch of land will be given to the neighbouring state (Maharashtra).
Raut’s statement comes after leaders from Kolhapur — including NCP MLA Hasan Mushrif (Kamal assembly constituency) — alleged they were detained by the Maharashtra police and even lathi-charged by the Karnataka police.
The 10-day Karnataka legislative session commenced on Monday. During a debate on the border dispute in the Karnataka legislative assembly on Tuesday, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai himself suggested passing a unanimous resolution in both houses of the legislature reiterating and asserting the stand.
"If everyone agrees, while giving the government's reply on the border issue debate, we will pass a resolution reiterating the state's stand in both Houses of legislature. Already we have passed several such resolutions, we will reiterate it," Bommai had said.
Raut’s statement comes at a time when there is heightened tension between the two states over the border dispute. Amid ongoing border row, Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai has warned Bommai that the state will have to rethink about water supply if he does not stop making irresponsible and disrespectful remarks.
Raut said, "Like China has entered (the country), we shall enter Karnataka. We don’t need anyone’s permission. We want to resolve it [the boundary conflict] through dialogue but the Karnataka chief minister is igniting a fire. There is a weak government in Maharashtra and it is not taking any stand on it."
“The revolutionary CM of Maharashtra must answer this. More than Bommai, it is important to see what Maharashtra says. Home minister Amit Shah mediated this, but what was the result of this mediation? Status quo, means nothing. Despite this, Bommai is just making such statements. No Karnataka CM has said this even if the border dispute is going on for 60 years. Bommai is slapping Maharashtra and the CM rubs his cheeks and goes to the legislature. This is Maharashtra’s misfortune,” Raut said.
