MUMBAI: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to stop attacks on vehicles from Maharashtra entering Karnataka or be prepared to face consequences.
"We have observed restraint for a long period, now I am giving a 24-hour ultimatum. If there is no improvement in the next 48 hours, I will rush to Belagavi to extend support to the Marathi- speaking people in the border areas. Bommai is instigating violence, which will have an adverse impact on the unity and integrity of the country. Peace has been disturbed in the wake of his controversial statements," Pawar said.
The NCP chief condemned the attacks on vehicles entering Karnataka from the Hirbagewadi toll plaza, where more than a dozen vehicles were vandalized by activists of the Kanadda Rakshika Vedike. According to reports, a few days ago, Pawar had undergone a cataract operation for one eye and is expected to undergo surgery in the next few days, but in order to explain his stand on developments on the border issue, he took time off on Tuesday. Pawar said notwithstanding the situation, CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis had maintained silence for long and had woken up only after violence had erupted in the border areas. Pawar said since Bommai was instigating violence in the border areas and Karnataka was ruled by BJP, the NDA government led by PM Narendra Modi can't be a silent spectator. "We demand PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah step in and resolve the dispute, otherwise there will be a disturbing situation in the border areas. It's high time that we take a firm view on the situation in border districts. Unfortunately, it is all happening on the death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, who gave us the Constitution and freedom," he said.
Pawar alleged the situation in border districts had turned violent following uncalled-for statements made by Bommai in view of elections in Karnataka. He said no past CM of Karnataka had taken such a view, and it appeared Bommai had chosen a different route in view of the ensuing elections. Meanwhile, former CM Ashok Chavan asked Shinde and Fadnavis to vacate the stay on development works in border areas. - Prafulla Marpakwar