Bommai's words spark controversy once again

• K'taka CM lays claim on Jat tehsil in Sangli • Ajit Pawar demands clarification from Maha govt • Fadnavis declares not a single village will go to K'taka

Days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde chaired the maiden meeting of the reconstituted high power committee on the border dispute with Karnataka, latter's Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's statement that his government is "seriously considering" laying claim on the Jat tehsil in Sangli district has sparked a major political controversy.

Mr Bommai on Tuesday claimed that panchayats in Jat taluka of Maharashtra had passed a resolution in the past to merge with Karnataka when there was a severe drought situation and acute drinking water crisis. He said his government has evolved schemes to help them by providing water: His government is seriously considering it (laying claim), he said.

This has drawn criticism from both the Maharashtra government and opposition parties. Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Ajit Pawar, demanded a clarification from Mr Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying, "Chief Minister of Karnataka belongs to the BJP. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister is from the BJP. The state government should sit together and clearly tell the people what its position is." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that it's a ploy to divide Maharashtra.