'One Regret...': Ajit Pawar Rues Marathi-Speaking Karnataka Areas Not Being Part Of Maharashtra

Maharashtra has been demanding the merger of Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka, which Karnataka opposes.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed regret that Belgaum and Karwar, parts of Karnataka, were not merged with Maharashtra despite 65 years since its formation.

Source : PTI

Mumbai, May 1 (PTI) Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said even 65 years after the formation of Maharashtra, there is one regret - that Belgaum and Karwar, parts of adjoining Karnataka, were still not merged with the western Marathi-speaking state.

Speaking at a party event organised on the occasion of Maharashtra Day, Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, asserted his outfit will not abandon the ideology of legendary social reformers Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and B R Ambedkar.

Recalling the work of chief ministers of Maharashtra from the first CM Yashwantrao Chavan to the incumbent Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said each one of them have contributed to development of the state since its formation in 1960.

"Maharashtra was formed out of struggle. Even if Maharashtra has completed 65 years of its existence, here is one regret in our hearts. Even today, the Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) of Belgaum and Karwar are still not with us. The case is going on in the Supreme Court.

"The day they are merged with Maharashtra, we can confidently said Maharashtra is now complete," he said.

Maharashtra has been demanding that Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka -- Belgaum, Karwar, Nipani -- be merged with the state, a stand strongly opposed by the southern state.

Pawar noted India's population in 1947 was 35 crore, but it has now multiplied four times to 140 crore. The population of the state has also increased accordingly, he said.

He emphasised that those in power now and in the past have been working to address the water woes of Maharashtra, but with a growing population, the sources have become limited.

The deputy CM said some people oppose the bullet train project in India, but China and Japan have progressed because of such high-speed transport modes.

The erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government (November 2019-June 2022) had stopped the bullet train project connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad which is currently under construction. PTI PR RSY

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