MUMBAI, Nov 25: Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel today said that he was prepared to discuss afresh the vexed Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary row with his Maharashtra counterpart Manohar Joshi.

``I am prepared for the discussion, but it will be on the basis of the recommendations of the Mahajan Commission report. I am confident that in the golden jubilee year of country's Independence, the dispute will be resolved amicably,'' Patel told media persons after his meeting with Joshi at Mantralaya.

Patel said he would have a second round of talks with Joshi and prior to this Chief Secretaries of both the States will have a preparatory meeting on the issue.

``Along with the boundary dispute, we also discussed the inter-state irrigation projects and also the sharing of Krishna waters,'' Patel added.

Referring to Joshi's allegation that Kannadigas in the border district of Belgaum were removing Marathi hoardings, Patel said it was a very serious matter and he would ask the local administration to take stringent measures to prevent such acts.

During Joshi's brief visit to Kolhapur today, the local residents had drawn the CM's attention to the on-going campaign against Marathi speaking population.

On the issue of sharing Krishna waters, Patel said there was no dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

``The Andhra Pradesh has dispute with both Maharashtra and Karnataka in view of the adamant stand taken by AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu,'' Patel said, adding, his contention was that farmers in the respective states should get more water. ``We have already released adequate water for Tamil Nadu,'' Patel said.

Reacting to the current political situation, Patel said since the Congress was insisting on action against those indicted by the Jain Commission, ``we feel that along with the Jain Commission, the reports on Bofors as well as Thakkar Commission should also be debated in the Parliament''.

Joshi expressed satisfaction over his meeting with Patel. ``His response to our sentiments on the border row is positive. I am sure, we will resolve the dispute soon,'' Joshi told reporters at Mantralaya.

Replying to a question, Joshi said he has already communicated the observations of a high-level committee headed by him to Patel for resolving the dispute. The committee comprising Joshi, former Chief Minister Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Madhu Dandavate and veteran PWP leader N D Patil now also includes senior BJP leader Ram Kapse.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.