Patil cancels visit to flood-hit areas of K'taka

Hubli, Aug 29: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's scheduled visit to the flood-ravaged Belgaum district of Karnataka has been cancelled.

According to official sources in Belgaum, Mr Patil was to make an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of Karnataka tomorrow and address a press conference at Belgaum airport.

Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti sources claimed that Mr Patil had cancelled his visit apprehending the wrath of Marathi-speaking people, following the Centre submitting an affidavit in the Supreme Court in connection with the border row between Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Mr Patil, who was to arrive here from Bidar, would now leave for Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, the sources added.

UNI