Maharashtra parties criticize second capital status for Belgaum - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Political parties in Maharashtra have criticized Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's announcement about giving second capital status to Belgaum. Leaders of the Congress, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) unanimously condemned Yeddyurappa's announcement. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said, " Yeddyurappa was speaking out of turn," adding that the state government's plea to have Belgaum and Karwar as part of Maharashtra is pending before the Supreme Court. Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, "The statement is uncalled for and we will seek legal recourse on the issue." Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote said his party would counter any attempt by the Karnataka government to inflict its mandate on the Marathi-speaking people. Yeddyurappa on Monday said the government was thinking over Belgaum being given second capital status, adding that a decision in this regard would be taken shortly. Yeddyurappa also said most of the government offices working in the city would be shifted to the Soudha once its construction was over. The first announcement in this regard was made during the legislature session in Belgaum in Sept 2006. The decision was first taken under Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime under the Chief Ministership of H D Kumaraswamy. Kumaraswamy indicated the government's intention, which was later not taken forward. Maharashtra has been pressing for the Marathi speaking areas of Karnataka, including Belgaum to be merged with the state.