Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Jan 18: “The statement by Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is defiant. His stand is against the system of democratic union. Everybody knows that the Mahajan report is final,” said Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa. He was speaking in Udupi on Monday, January 18.

“Kannadigas and Marathis are living in Karnataka as the children of one mother. The statement by CM Thackeray is an attempt to spoil the atmosphere and is condemnable. We will not give up even an inch of our land for whatsoever reason,” he said.

“Statements by the Maha CM have caused anguish to the pro-Kannada organizations,” said chief minister B S Yediyurappa from Adi Udupi Helipad.

“Do not be worried about such political statements is what I would request the pro-Kannada organizations and I have clarified many times that these remarks are an attempt to create confusion among people,” he said.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had earlier called for 'incorporating Marathi-speaking areas' in Karnataka into Maharashtra giving rise to backlash from several political leaders in Karnataka, including Congress leader Siddaramaiah.

Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA K Raghupathi Bhat, Lalaji R Mendon, Sunil Kumar, Sukumar Shetty, district panchayat president Dinakar Babu, Coastal Development Authority president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, municipal council president Sumitra Nayak, DC G Jagadeesha and SP Vishnuvardhan were present.

The Karnataka chief minister also received a march past from Udupi police.