The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) united on Monday to criticize Karnataka Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar following her recent remarks about Belagavi's historical affiliation with Maharashtra. Hebbalkar, a Belagavi native, made these comments during a Kannada litterateur meet at Karadga village in Karnataka.
Addressing the gathering, the Woman and Child Welfare Minister stated, "Before independence, Karnataka and Maharashtra had many commonalities. Belagavi was a part of Maharashtra, and we were living with warmth." She expressed gratitude for being born in Karnataka and highlighted the contributions of Kannada litterateurs in preserving the rich language, culture, land, water, and heritage of the state.
Hebbalkar's statement triggered sharp criticism from the opposition parties, with State BJP President B Y Vijayendra accusing her of attempting to disturb Karnataka's sovereignty and linguistic harmony at the interstate border. He called for her immediate dismissal from the state cabinet, labeling her remarks as a political ploy to incite tensions during the election season.
Former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy criticized Hebbalkar for not moving beyond her "infatuation" for Maharashtra. He emphasized that individuals in responsible positions should refrain from making such statements and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to address the matter.
Leader of the opposition in the Karnataka assembly R Ashoka accused Hebbalkar of engaging in "vote bank politics" at a time when the border row over Belagavi between Karnataka and Maharashtra has intensified. Ashoka argued that her statement, given the ongoing agitation and tension, was aimed at gaining political mileage ahead of the approaching parliamentary elections.
The historical dispute over Belagavi's status dates back to 1957 when states were reorganized based on linguistic lines. Maharashtra, citing a significant Marathi-speaking population, laid claim to Belagavi, as it was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency. The border issue has persisted, with Karnataka asserting the finality of the linguistic demarcation established by the States Reorganisation Act and the 1967 Mahajan Commission Report.
