Thursday, November 24 2005 10:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka today (Nov 23, 2005) urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to withdraw the letters he has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and state Chief Minister N Dharam Singh opposing dissolution of Belgaum City Corporation and termed his action as an 'interference in the affairs of another state.'

State's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil defended the Government decision to supersede the Belgaum City Corporation and asked, "How can Maharasthra Chief Minister support the corporation which has crossed constitution limits, violated rules forgetting its responsibilities?"

Taking objection to Deshmukh writing letters to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, he demanded, "Deshmukh should stop supporting law breakers. Instead of giving good advice, the tone, tenor and style of his letter smacks of provocation."

Deshmukh was unnecessarily trying to play a role in the internal affairs of another state and such remarks were not right in a federal system, Patil told reporters here.

"Without knowing the ground realities, Deshmukh has written the letters and I want him to withdraw them," Patil demanded and claimed several Marathi organisations have welcomed the Government decision to supersede the civic body.

The Government on Monday superseded the Belgaum Corporation on charges of non-performance, apparently in the backdrop of the civic body passing a controversial resolution demanding merger of Belgaum and Marathi speaking areas with Maharashtra.