Belgaum issue: K'taka CM welcomes Centre's stand

Mysore, Nov 17 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today welcomed the Union Government rejecting the claim of Maharashtra, seeking merger of Marathi speaking areas in Karnataka with that State, on a suit filed by the neighbouring State in the Supreme Court.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the Centre's written statement in the Apex Court had upheld the State Government's contention that Belgaum was an integral part of Karnataka.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly N Dharam Singh also hailed the Union Government's stand on the issue.

The Centre, in its written statement, had rejected the claim of Maharashtra on Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka, holding that it was not tenable under the present circumstances.

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