Priyank Kharge warns Maharashtra against actions that may cause friction in border region in Karnataka

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presides over the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue committee meeting. | Photo credit: PTI

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday expressed concern over the Maharashtra government’s decision to back Marathi speakers in the inter-state border dispute and warned the neighboring state against any move that could cause friction in Karnataka.

A high-powered committee of the Maharashtra government on Wednesday held a meeting to review issues related to the border dispute and expressed support to the Marathi-speaking people of border areas in Karnataka in their legal battle.

“Maharashtra can provide any legal assistance to its groups (like the Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti in the border town of Belagavi). But if their actions here lead to friction, we will not allow it,” Mr. Kharge said.

Talking to pressmen, the Karnataka Home Minister said, “It is not acceptable that you (Maharashtra) as a government are supporting everything they (MES) are doing. I am sure and hope that Maharashtra has such maturity.”

“Let them support their groups. We have no active interest to oppose it. But we will not remain silent on the issue of protecting our land, language and water,” he said.

Mr. Priyank Kharge insisted that any border dispute should be only legal in nature and said, “Whether it is Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh, they have to fight only legally. They cannot redraw the state border line according to their whims and fancies just because any organization, chief minister or minister wants to do it on state organizational principles.”

Census of castes

Mr. Priyank Kharge mocked the BJP for accusing the Congress of trying to throw off the caste census report. “The report is yet to be submitted to the state cabinet. We will take a decision after discussion in the cabinet. But let the BJP advise us on the caste census after we conduct it in all BJP-ruled states,” he said.

In an attempt to turn the tables on the BJP demanding farm loan waiver, he urged the BJP to get the support of its government at the Center for such a waiver.

“The Chief Minister is assessing the drought situation in all district headquarters. He is currently submitting a memorandum to the Center to get a drought-hit tag for the affected areas. Let the BJP talk to its government at the Center and help in this matter,” he said.

Cabinet extension

In response to questions, he said the ministerial expansion is likely to happen in a week or two.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 0:09 AM IST