No need for CMs' meet on border row, Krishna tells PM

No need for CMs' meet on border row, Krishna tells PM
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Bangalore, March 2: Karnataka today said it had informed Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that no purpose would be served on convening a meeting of Karnataka and Maharashtra Chief Ministers to discuss the already settled boundary tangle.

Chief Minister S M Krishna told the state Assembly that he had written to the Prime Minister, making the state's stand clear that the Centre implementing the Mahajan Commission award in its entirety was the only solution to resolve the dispute.

Responding to a query by Janata Dal (United) legislature group leader, P G R Sindhia, who wanted the House to pass an unanimous resolution condemning the remarks by Union Minister for Heavy Industries Manohar Joshi that the Mahajan report was unacceptable to him and the Shiv Sena, Krishna urged opposition parties not to attach any significance to the statement.

The Chief Minister said he had also written to Vajpayee to advise Joshi against making "provocative statements" on the border row and added he hoped that the Prime Minister would take note of Karnataka's sentiments.

Krishna pointed out to Maharashtra leaders that such statements may vitiate the good neighbourly relations both states enjoyed.

Krishna said the Centre and Maharashtra should understand that the Mahajan Commission recommendations were `final' on the boundary dispute and no attempt should be made to reopen a settled matter.

He said a fortnight ago, the Prime Minister, telephoned to him to elicit the state's view on the boundary dispute and broached the issue of convening a meeting of two state Chief Ministers, after a delegation of Maharashtra called on him.

Krishna said he made the state's stand clear to the Prime Minister and suggested that such a meeting would serve no purpose.

He said he also told the Prime Minister that if Maharashtra leaders had nurtured hopes that a meeting of Chief Ministers would help them, their (Maharashtra) hopes were misplaced.

Krishna said he, however, assured Vajpayee to consult opposition parties in the state in the event of his attending such a meeting.

Krishna said if the Prime Minister convened a meeting, it was necessary to invite Kerala Chief Minister E K Nayanar too, as that state was also party to the dispute, since Karnataka was staking claim for Kasargod.

With Assembly elections round the corner in Kerala, how could Kerala Chief Minister devote time to this issue, Krishna asked.

Krishna said when Union Ministers express personal opinions on vital issues concerning two states, they should understand their limitations and responsibility.