Central rule demanded in Marathi-speaking areas

Belgaum, Sep 25 (UNI) The Marathi-speaking people's convention, organised by the Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti (MES) to counter the special session of the Karnataka Legislature here today, demanded that the Union Government impose Central rule in the Marathi-speaking areas of the State, including Belgaum.

Resolving to fight till death for the merger of Marathi-speaking areas with Maharashtra, the convention favoured Central rule till the Supreme Court gave its verdict on an intervention from Maharashtra.

It condemned the special session as illegal.

Earlier, speaking at the convention, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil declared that his Government would support the agitation, demanding the merger of Marathi-speaking areas with Maharashtra.

The special session was being held only to divert the attention of the people from other issues and would not have any effect on the agitation, he claimed.

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