Let Belgaum be with Karnataka: Raj Thackeray

Raj Thackeray seems to be on a mission to find a practical solution to the 55-year-old row over Belgaum between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief said he was prepared, if required, to meet the Karnataka chief minister Sadananda Gowda and discuss the issue, after meeting Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti members on Monday.

This is the first time that a political party claiming to be the flag-bearer of issues related to Marathi-speaking community has suggested that Belgaum remain with Karnataka — a stand which could invite severe criticism from rival parties, such as the Shiv Sena.

Urging for a “practical” instead of an “emotional” approach to resolve the issue, Raj said that if people of Belgaum are going to suffer like other neglected parts of Maharashtra, such as Marathwada and Vidarbha, it would be better that they stay in Karnataka.

Lamenting that strikes and bandhs only add to the misery of the Marathi-speaking community in Belgaum, Thackeray said: “If the Karnataka government is ready to respect the Marathi people, their culture and language, then there is nothing wrong in Belgaum being there.”

Raj said he will meet BJP president Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur on December 21 and discuss the issue - and if need arises he will have a meeting with the Karnataka chief minister too. He also stressed that it is necessary to know whether the people of Belgaum are targeted for being a Marathi-speaking community or for their demand to merge with Maharashtra.

“If the Supreme Court decision comes in Maharashtra’s favour and Belgaum becomes a part of Maharashtra, its people are most welcome. But, looking at the current situation of the state with power cuts, farmer suicides and bad road, no one seems happy in Maharashtra. It should not happen that these people become a part of Maharashtra and later feel it was a wrong decision,” said the MNS chief.

He added that the present state government cannot take care of its people so what guarantee can it give to Belgaum. “They (the government) will be interested in land rates of Belgaum and Nipani and nothing else.”

“The only time the issue could have resolved was during NDA regime at the Centre. If the Shiv Sena had taken a stand and said it would not support the NDA until the Belgaum issue was solved, a solution would have been reached.”

Reacting to his estranged cousin’s statement, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said it was “a cruel joke played on the people of Belgaum”.

“The Sena will not step down from its stand over Belgaum,” he said. Sena had demanded to make Belgaum a union territory until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the matter.