Govt keen on finding solution to Idgah Maidan row

Bangalore, Apr 4: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today informed the State Assembly that the government was keen on finding a permanent solution to the Idgah Maidan dispute in Hubli.

Referring to the issue raised in the house by the opposition Congress, Mr Yediyurappa said that following a direction from the Supreme Court the disputed parties, including Anjuman e Islam, have agreed to workout an amicable solution. The talks have come to a final stage. The government would seek the apex court to give some more time to arrive at a solution when the case came up for hearing tomorrow (April five).

Opposition Members, including leader of the Opposition Dharam Singh wanted the government to hold an all party meeting to arrive at a consensus on the issue. Besides the floor leaders of the House local leaders in Hubli and leaders of other political parties should also be consulted, he added.

Mr Singh and senior Congress Member Mallikarjuna Kharge wanted Mr Yediyurappa to talk to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, now in New Delhi to confer with the State Counsel in the Supreme Court and seek time to present the State's view point.

The disputed land located in a main thoroughfare of Hubli had been amidst controversy for several years now with the BJP and Hindu organisations seeking to hoist the national flag on Republic day and Independence day every year, while the Muslims using it as a prayer venue on important festivals.

UNI