Congress terms Uddhav's Belagavi remark 'political gimmick'; says 'stop provoking people'

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's recent remarks on border dispute with Karnataka has drawn strong criticism from Opposition. Stoking controversy over long-pending issue, Shiv Sena chief h suggested that bordering city of Belagavi, which is "dominated" by Marathi-speaking population should be converted to a Union Territory until Supreme Court gives final verdict on matter.

Hitting out at Thackeray, Karnataka Presh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Satish Jarkiholi termed his remarks on Belgavi a "political gimmick". He ded that it is t possible to include sourn city into Maharashtra or Mumbai into Karnataka.

"I don't want Mumbai, you (Uddhav Thackeray) don't ask Belagavi from us. Being a Kanniga, I would like to give a mess to CM, t to resort to politics in this sensitive matter, as all Marathi people in Karnataka are living happily along with Kannigas (Kanna speaking people). It is a political gimmick of Chief Minister Thackeray," said Jarkiholi at a press conference in Belagavi.

RE | 'Make Mumbai UT Till You Give To Karnataka': Dy CM Mirrors CM Uddhav's Belagavi Suggestion

RE | Declare Marathi-speaking K'taka-Maha Border Areas As UT: CM Uddhav Thackeray

'Don't' provoke Marathi-speaking people': Congress to ally Sena

Congress leer furr said that it is practice in Maharashtra to issue irresponsible and provocative statements on boundary issue over years.

"It is t first time such statements are coming from Maharashtra, y are kwn to make such provocative statements. We never discriminated against Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka. We have given same amount of funds as much as given to Kanna schools. y (Maharashtra government) don't need to provoke Marathi-speaking people," he ded.

It may be ted that Congress is a part of coalition government in Maharashtra along with Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

RE | Maharashtra CM Faces Backlash For Belagavi Border Remark; Siddaramaiah Fumes

Uddhav Thackeray faces backlash

Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savi h condemned Thackeray's statement on Belagavi and said that Karnataka could also claim city of Mumbai as it has been a part of Mumbai-Karnataka region in past. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also said that his government would t even give an inch of land from Karnataka to neighboring state.

Similar criticism came from senior Congress leer Siddaramaiah, who warned Maharashtra CM against instigating people of Karnataka. Calling upon Thackeray to act responsibly, former CM me it clear that people will never compromise or politicize on matters related to land, water, and langu of Karnataka. 

RE | Sena-Congress Tiff Reignites Over Karnataka-Maha Border; DK Shivakumar Slams Thackeray

(With inputs from ncy)