Maharashtra leaders fume at violence against state vehicles in Karnataka

Hours after some Maharashtra vehicles were attacked and pelted with stones in Belgaum border district of Karnataka leaders across political parties in this state breathed fire at the neighbour with warnings ultimatum and dark threats of repercussions on TuesdayThe state political atmosphere suddenly witnessed a raise in the temperature when certain activists of the Kannada Rakshan Vedike targeted buses and trucks from Maharashtra resulting in huge traffic chaos on the Belgaum borderThere were reactions in Pune and Kolhapur when Shiv Sena UBT and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists smeared black or saffron paint on Karnataka buses and trucks deflated tyres and shouted antiKarnataka slogansRattled by the reactions Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called up Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and conveyed this states displeasure to him in strong terms said Bharatiya Janata Party Spokesperson Keshav UpadhyeIn turn the Karnataka CM assured giving escort to this states vehicles and of taking strict action against the perpetrators of the violence on Tuesday there said UpadhyeCommenting that Fadnavis plea had no impact Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar served a 48hour ultimatum to the adjoining state to normalise the situation in the border areas failing which he Pawar would personally visit and express solidarity with the Marathispeaking people thereOther NCP leaders like Supriya Sule MP and Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar also slammed the ruling alliance of BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Senas two ministers Chandrakant Patil and Shambhuraj Desai who were prevented from going to Belgaum on TuesdayPawar raised questions why the disturbances took place on a symbolic day like the 66th death anniversary of the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution BR Ambedkar and pointed out that Bommais attitude could affect the integrity of the countryHowever the BSS Spokesperson Krishna Hegde blamed the Congress which was in power for 50 years in both the states for not taking steps to resolve the issueAlso Read Maha political crisis Unconstitutional govt in state Uddhav group tells SCThey created the MC Mahajan Commission which was rejected by the states involved Now their leaders are adding fuel to the fire claimed HegdeSena UBTs exMinister Aditya Thackeray and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut attacked the BJPSS saying the Maharashtra government got scared by the Karnataka CMs scolding and targeted the neighbouring state for the injustice meted out to the Marathis in that state and called upon the ShindeFadnavis government to immediately resolve the rowState Congress President Nana Patole also took shots at the Karnataka government for the violence and BJP leaders like Sudhir Mungantiwar said that Maharashtra will not keep quiet at the neighbouring states behaviourIn a strong attack Sharad Pawar said that an atmosphere of fear has been created in the boundary villages owing to Bommais statements and called for an urgent and amicable solution to the issue with proper coordination by the CMs of both the statesThe NCP supremo flayed Bommais statements staking claim to more villages from Maharashtra and continuously talking on the ticklish issue which has flared up sentiments in the boundary districtsA delegation of state MPs belonging to the ruling alliance is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday evening the outcome of which is awaitedMeanwhile in an attempt to cool down the tempers the state transport bus services serving the two states have been suspended temporarily late this evening even as some agitated Sena UBT workers staged roadblocks against Karnataka vehicles in the border areas of KolhapurThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever