Belagavi: Merely three days after her election, Belagavi Mayor Saritha Patil, who represents the pro-Marathi group in the corporation, has managed to rile Kannada leaders so much that they are bringing pressure on the government to supersede it.
The trigger is her controversial meeting with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai a day after she was elected Mayor. Not only has it led to protests in the state but also to demands for dissolution of the Belagavi City Corporation. Various organizations launched protests against the anti-Karnataka move of Mayor and burnt her effigies demanding superseding of the corporation.
Condemning Ms Patil’s hasty decision to meet the Maharashtra Chief Minister, noted Kannada writer, Patil Puttappa said in Belagavi that she should have in fact met Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to discuss the development of Belagavi city.
“Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka and a case on the boundary row is still pending before the Supreme Court. When not even a court has been able to decide on the boundary dispute, it's unfortunate that the new Mayor has met the Maharashtra CM,” he regretted.
Kannada leader Deepak Gudaganatti deplored that merely 24 hours after giving an assurance to the people of Belagavi that she would work for its development, Ms Patil “had insulted not only Karnataka but also its people by visiting Maharashtra after her election as Mayor.”
Kannada leader, Basavaraj Khanappanavar demanded that the police should register a case against the Mayor for trying to damage relations between the Kannada and Marathi people in the state.
He appealed to minister in-charge of Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary issue H K Patil, to recommend dissolution of the Belagavi City Corporation to the state government immediately.
