PM must resolve 'merger' with Maharashtra issue: MES leader

Belgaum, Karnataka, Apr 12: There is every reason for Marathi speaking citizens of Belgaum region to seek "merger" with Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) will continue to strive for it, says MES leader and sitting Belgaum South legislator Sambhaji Patil.

Mr Patil said he has written a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to take a final call on "all boundary disputes between states".
"I have impressed upon him in my letter that not only Maharashtra and Karnataka, there are boundary disputes between other states also. There are disputes in north east of India too. Hence I told him he has a historic mandate and hence should try to resolve all such disputes at one go. May be he needs to set up an empowered Commission or so," Mr Patil told here.
To a question, he said, "Prime Minister has not responded. I understand his problems. Inter-state boundary disputes is like a Pandora's Box, but Mr Modi is a decisive person. Someone has to take the call". 
The "struggle" of Marathi speaking people in Karnataka for merger with Maharastra is genuine and a democratic stand, he said adding the MES can go to any extent to achieve the target. 
"But we will continue the struggle in a peaceful and democratic manner," Mr Patil said. 
He said the MES struggle is not merely confined to "electoral battle" and hence the party does not care much of whether it should support Congress-led dispensation or a BJP regime once number games come into play.
"We are a small party and our role has been always constructive for development in the region. Politically - of course - we want merger with Maharashtra," he remarked and cited historical ground to back the claim. 
He says by 17th and 18th century the expansion of the Maratha empire under the Peshwas had got the region recognised as the "Southern Maratha Country" - most of it now fall under North Karnataka. 
In terms of Karnataka government's approach towards the Belgaum region - which has substantial Marathi speaking people, Mr Patil said, "There have been discrimination always. The indifference continues under both the Congress and also BJP".
"To an extent the indifference and discrimination against Marathi speaking people has percolated down to the babudom in the state. That is often creating hurdles for the projects we take up," he said.
With about one lakh Marathi voters in the constituency out of 2,24,000 voters – it is obvious that the MES role will be crucial to decide the fate of Belgaum South. 
The sitting MLA Sambhaji Patil has decided not to contest and left the decision to the party to decide whether anyone else should contest. 
“There are at least 10 Marathi leaders including corporators keen to contest. Let party decide,” says Sambhaji Patil.
Sources said, Mr Patil could be opting out from contest this year due to health reason.
Marathis also have sizeable presence in Belgaum Rural, from where BJP has already fielded Sanjay Patil – a Jain but with Maharashtra connection. UNI