‘Give Mumbai To Karnataka, Make It A UT Till Then’: Dy CM Laxman Savadi Hits Back On Maharashtra’s Claim To Belgaum

Karnataka deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, in response to Maharashtra government’s claim to Belgaum, said that Maharashtra’s current capital Mumbai should be made a part of Karnataka, and till then, a union territory.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said today that the Maharashtra government will approach the Supreme Court (SC) for Belgaum to be made a part of the state.

“Despite the matter is in court, Karnataka government has deliberately changed name of disputed region of Belgaum. Looking at atrocities of Marathi speaking people in that area, our government will approach SC to declare that part as Union Territory till the matter is in court,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

In response, the Deputy CM of Karnataka shot back, "Mumbai should be included in Karnataka. Until that is done, I request Central govt to declare Mumbai as a Union Territory."

"Earlier, we (parts of Belagavi) were a part of Mumbai region. My demand and the demand of the people in this region is that Mumbai be attached to Karnataka...I demand that the Central government ensure that Mumbai should be declared a Union territory. The issue will be resolved once we demand Mumbai," he reportedly said.