Date:18/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/18/stories/2005111805880400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Sindhia for action on Belgaum corporation

Staff Reporter

Pro-Kannada organisations urged to withdraw call for bandh next week

Bangalore: Finance Minister P.G.R. Sindhia has favoured the supersession of the Belgaum City Corporation Council for acting beyond its powers by adopting a resolution calling for the merger of Marathi-speaking areas in the State with Maharashtra.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Mr. Sindhia said the subject does not come under the purview of the corporation council and the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti members, including Mayor Vijay Pandurang More, should not indulge in acts that provoke other linguistic groups.

He appealed to the pro-Kannada organisations to withdraw the call for a Statewide bandh on November 24 as the Government is willing to hold talks with them. Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh has convened a meeting of all pro-Kannada organisations for a discussion on the action to be initiated against the Belgaum corporation for its resolution, he said.

He said Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President M. Mallikarjun Kharge's recent outburst against the Janata Dal (S) was meant to cater to the emotions of his partymen. Mr. Kharge, he said has to play his role as party President, particularly in view of the zilla and taluk panchayat elections to be held next month.

On M. Rajasekhara Murthy's demand for pulling out of the coalition government, he said Janata Dal (S) President H.D. Deve Gowda will consider it at the right time.