Karnataka DyCM Karjol claims 'Shivaji Maharaj was a Kannadiga' amid row over border areas

Stirring a fresh controversy amid ongoing row over border areas, Karnataka Deputy CM Govind Karjol alleged that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a "Kanniga". Alleging that Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray does t kw history, Karjol told media on January 31 that great king's forefar Belliyappa hailed from Karnataka. Claiming that Belliyappa left for Maharashtra after drought in Gag, BJP leer ded that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was fourth generation of this family. 

PTI quoted Karnataka Deputy CM Govind Karjol as saying, "Thackeray does t kw history. Shivaji's forefar Belliyappa was from Soratur in Gag district in Karnataka. When re was drought in Gag, Belliyappa left for Maharashtra. Shivaji was fourth generation of family. Thackeray should remember that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whom Shiv Sena perceives as its icon and named its party after him, was a Kanniga." 

war of words between leers from two states escalated on January 27 when Thackeray released a book giving an account of border dispute. Speaking during ceremony, Shiv Sena supremo demanded that Marathi-speaking regions in Karnataka should be declared a Union Territory till Supreme Court gives a verdict on matter. In response, Karnataka Deputy CM Laxman Savi said that Mumbai should be a part of Karnataka and that Centre should declare it a Union territory till n.

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dispute over border areas

re has been a longstanding dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka over status of predominantly Marathi-speaking regions such as Belagavi. Speaking in Maharashtra Assembly on December 20, 2019, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray re-ignited tensions as he referred to se areas as 'Karnataka-occupied Maharashtra'. Moreover, he accused BJP government in Karnataka of oppressing Marathi-speaking people. Thackeray has consistently reiterated his government's commitment to bring back "Karnataka-occupied Marathi speaking and cultural areas". 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray remarked, "Like PoK, re is a Karnataka-occupied Maharashtra. People in Belagavi are t only Hindus but also Marathi-speaking people and wanted to be part of Maharashtra. However, y are facing oppression from BJP-led government in Karnataka. Even for speaking truth, Belagavi mayor was booked for treason."

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