Date:18/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/18/stories/2005111804550500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

CPI (M) opposes supersession of Belgaum City Corporation

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Taking a distinct line, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has opposed any move to supersede the Belgaum City Corporation.

The State Secretariat of the party has said that Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh and Law Minister H.K. Patil were in the wrong by favouring the dissolution of the corporation council for adopting a resolution on merger with Maharashtra.

The Government has before it the option of "rendering null and void" that resolution.

State Secretary of the CPI (M) G.N. Nagaraj criticised both the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti and the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike for exploiting the border issue and that of language to whip up chauvinism.

The CPI (M) has also plainly told the Government against succumbing to the demand for withdrawal of cases booked against the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists for assaulting and humiliating Mayor of Belgaum Vijay Pandurang More. It also urged the Kannada organisations to withdraw the call for a State bandh on November 24.