Such Motormouths Will Be Reprimanded: Fadnavis To K'Taka Leaders Over Mumbai Claims

Amid an ongoing tussle for the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, the state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, December 28, asserted that Mumbai belongs to the state which will not tolerate anyone's claim over its capital.

Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis said the state's feelings will be conveyed to the Karnataka government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and not to anyone's father. We will not tolerate anyone staking claim over Mumbai and we will put forth our feelings before the Karnataka government and Union home minister," Fadnavis exclaimed.

He also strongly condemned remarks made by some Karnataka leaders amid the raging boundary dispute between the two states.

"The comments by Karnataka MLAs or the Karnataka Congress president are contrary to what was decided. Will not tolerate any claim staked on Mumbai. We condemn this. We will send a letter (to Karnataka government) condemning these statements," Fadnavis said.

"(These comments) are not in line what was decided in the meeting with the Union home minister. It will be brought to the notice of the Union home minister," Fadnavis added. He also said that Union minister Shah will be requested to reprimand such "motormouths".

On the other hand, raising the issue in the House, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar (of Nationalist Congress Party) claimed Karnataka CM and ministers have been hurting Maharashtra's pride by their remarks and the Maharashtra government's response is not in the same coin.

"Law minister (of Karnataka) Madhu Swamy has demanded that Mumbai should be made a Union Territory. (Bharatiya Janata Party MLA) Laxman Savadi said Mumbai belongs to Karnataka and has rubbed salt on the Marathi people's wounds," Pawar added.

A day earlier, on Tuesday, December 27, amid the raging border dispute, both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to "legally pursue" the inclusion of 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka into the western state.