'Make Mumbai UT till you give to Karnataka': Dy CM mirrors CM Uddhav's Belagavi suggestion

Karnataka Deputy CM Laxman Savi suggested making Maharashtra's capital Mumbai a Union Territory in response to Uddhav Thackeray's opinion to make Belagavi a U.T. Karnataka Dy CM's remarks come after Maharashtra CM Uddhav claimed that bordering city of Belagavi was dominated by Marathi-speaking population and hence it should be converted to a Union Territory until Supreme Court gives final verdict on issue. Condemning Uddhav Thackeray's statement, Karnataka Dy CM Laxman Savi claimed that Mahajan report was final and that people of Karnataka also h a claim on Mumbai as y have been a part of Mumbai-Karnataka region. 

"Until it (Mumbai) is me part of Karnataka, I urge central government to make it a union territory," Laxman Savi said in response to a question on repeated raking up of border issue. "With us w demanding Mumbai, things may get fine," he said.

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CM Uddhav wants Belgavi to be declared UT

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said areas dominated by Marathi-speaking people on state's border with Karnataka should be declared as a Union Territory till Supreme Court gives its final verdict on issue. Speaking at launch of a book on boundary dispute between two states, Thackeray lashed out at Karnataka government over alleged atrocities on Marathi-speaking population in those areas and said re is a need to fight to win case for ir inclusion in Maharashtra. Maharashtra claims certain areas, including Belgaum, Karwar, and Nippani which are part of Karnataka, contending majority of population in se areas is Marathi-speaking. case over dispute between two states is pending before Supreme Court for many years.

Thackeray said, "When case is being heard in Supreme Court, Karnataka government renames Belgaum, declares it as its second capital, constructs a Legislature building and holds one legislature session re." "Isn't this contempt of court?" Thackeray asked.

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Maharashtra General ministration Department's principal secretary Shrikant Deshpande said boundary dispute is a fight for "Marathi Asmita (pride)". book, comprising articles and cartoons chronicling issue over last 64 years, will help create awareness about issue among new generation and bridge disconnect between Marathi-speaking locals and or people in Maharashtra, Deshpande said. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa recently slammed Thackeray's comments wherein latter said his government is committed to incorporating into Maharashtra  areas of Karnataka where Marathi-speaking people are in majority.

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