Shiv Sena’s position in Maharashtra politics has become so strange that it just can’t stop digging a pit for itself. Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray have made an absurd statement of merging the Belagavi region in Karnataka located at the Karnataka-Maharashtra border back into Maharashtra. Uddhav’s naive statement has been lambasted uniformly by Karnataka’s political leaders cutting across the party’s line.
At a time when Shiv Sena’s core Marathi Manoos vote bank threatens to wean away from the party, thanks to its decision to join the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance and years of neglect of people’s issues, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has taken the lead by desperately trying to invoke Maratha pride before the BMC elections. His statement which was more becoming of a Shiv Sena activist rather than that of the Chief Minister hurt the Kannadigas.
“Bringing back Marathi linguistic and cultural regions from Karnataka to Maharashtra will be the real tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives in the fight of Belgavi border dispute. We are united and committed to this. With these words, we give homage to the martyrs,” tweeted the Chief Minister’s Office of Maharashtra.
This statement was not taken lightly by Sena’s alliance partner in Maharashtra, the Indian National Congress as former Karnataka CM and senior INC leader, Siddaramaiah, chose to come down heavily on Thackeray’s remarks.
In a series of tweets, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, said, “I strongly condemn the statement made by Uddhav Thackeray about our Belagavi. Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka. Don’t try to instigate us by bringing up the issue which is already resolved.”
He added, “Mahajan report is final with respect to Belagavi border issue. Uddhav Thackeray, don’t try to politicize the issue which is already decided. You are not just a Shiv Sena activist. Don’t forget that you are also a responsible Chief Minister.”
Siddaramaiah also urged Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa to hit out at Thackeray as he said, “We will never compromise or politicize on matters related to land-water-language of Karnataka. Protecting our State is our responsibility. Karnataka Chief Minister should officially give a befitting response to the stupid comments made by Uddhav Thackeray.”
On this issue, Yediyurappa said, “I am saddened by this statement of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, which can spoil the present amicable atmosphere. I expect Uddhav Thackeray, as a true Indian, to show commitment and respect to the principles of federalism.”
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has once again demonstrated his inexperience by making frivolous statements on this issue, as he once again displayed his political immaturity.