Thursday, December 1 2005 16:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thane: Expressing confidence that the vexed border issue with Karnataka would be resolved soon, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today (Dec 1, 2005) said he along with his counterpart in the neighbouring state would soon discuss the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Talking to reporters at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan, where he had come to participate in a function on the occasion of the World AIDS Day, Deshmukh said he had met Congress President Sonia Gandhi in this regard and she had asked the Chief Ministers of both the states to meet the Prime Minister to find a solution to the problem.

"I am hopeful of an amicable solution as both the states have Congress Chief Ministers," he added.

To a query on the ongoing demolition drive against illegal buildings by the Corporation and subsequent protest by the residents in Ulhasnagar township, Deshmukh said it was being carried out on the orders of the court.

"Hence the citizens should cooperate with the authorities to carry out the task," he said and added, "We are, however, examining the possibility of going in appeal against the court orders."

He also said this was a major task involving one lakh citizens of the township and their rehabilitation. "Hence a meeting of the citizens of the township has been convened this evening, which will be attended by the Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, following which further steps would be taken," he added.