BJP divided on issue of Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute

BJP found itself divided in the Lok Sabha today over the issue of Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute with party members from the two states divided on regional lines.

The division came to the fore when the Shiv Sena raised the issue complaining about the "injustice" being meted out to the Marathi-speaking people in the boundary areas of Karnataka.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Shiv Sena member Chandrakant Khaire wanted the disputed areas including Belgaum, Karvar, Nipani and 865 villages be merged with Maharashtra as per the principle of formation of linguistic states.

Khaire, who was supported by his party colleagues, at one point even trooped into the well followed by several BJP members from Karnataka protesting against the stand taken by the Shiv Sena members.

Khaire received the backing of BJP members from Maharashtra including Dilip Gandhi as also Raju Shetty, independent member from Kolhapur district.

BJP leader Ananth Kumar protested against the issue raised by the Shiv Sena declaring that Belgaum is part and parcel of Karnataka. There is no ....(boundary) question. The recommendations of the Justice Mahajan Commission should be implemented in toto."

Deputy leader of the BJP Gopinath Munde took up the cudgels on behalf of Maharashtra, noting that Shiv Sena's complaint that "injustice" was being done to linguistic minorities in Karnataka was correct.