Border row -- CM to open fresh dialogue
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, JULY 17: Besides convening a meeting of the high-power committee, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh will initiate a fresh dialogue with his Karnataka counterpart to resolve the more than four decade old boundary dispute.

Replying to a resolution moved by Congress member Narsingh Gurunath Patil, Deshmukh told the Legislative Assembly that he was even prepared to lead an all party delegation to the Prime Minister to find a solution to the vexed issue.

``My effort will be to resolve the dispute in a time-bound period. I will examine all options for the purpose,'' Deshmukh said, while Leader of the Opposition Narayan Rane observed that since both Maharashtra and Karnataka are ruled by the same party, the chief ministers should take a lead in resolving the dispute.

``To protest the interest of 22 lakh Marathi-speaking people in the boundary areas, it was essential to resolve the dispute at the earliest,'' Rane said.

Rural Development Minister R R Patil felt that the Members of Parliament from the State should offer to resign to pressurise the Centre for taking an early decision.

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