Mumbai (DHNS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said saying ‘Jai Maharashtra’ anywhere in India was a constitutional right.

Fadnavis was reacting to the statement by Karnataka Urban Development Minister Roshan Baig, about bringing in a legislation to disqualify anti-Karnataka elected representatives.

“We condemn the statement of the Karnataka minister,” Fadnavis said in Pandharpur district.

According to him, no one can prevent anyone in India from saying ‘Jai Maharashtra’. “It is the right conferred on us by the Constitution of India. We will also inform the Centre,” Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis’ statement comes a day after Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to look into the statement of the minister.

“I am sure that the Government of Karnataka will look into the matter seriously and will not allow any statement which will disturb peace and harmony. Maharashtra, as per its legal duty, is cooperating with the Government of Karnataka in water supply, energy, etc. It looks forward to have more and more cordial relations, which will enhance our cultural and social ties and promote the economic upliftment of both the states,” Patil said in the letter.

“Shiv Sena is capable of giving a fitting reply to such people, but at the same time other political parties are doing nothing,” Shiv Sena MP and party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.

Entry banned
Meanwhile, Belagavi district administration bas banned entry of two Maharashtra ministers and other elected representatives in the district on May 25 (Thursday) who are scheduled to participate in a rally of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in Belagavi on Thursday.

DC N Jayaram has issued orders banning the entry of Maharashtra Health Minister Deepak Sawant, Transport Minister Diwakar Rawate and other elected representatives to maintain law and order.

‘Jai Karnataka’ on Maharashtra buses
Activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, on Wednesday, wrote ‘Jai Kannada’ and ‘Jai Karnataka’ on buses from Maharashtra at the central bus stand here, reports DHNS from Vijayapura.

The drivers and conductors of these buses were made to say ‘Jai Kannada’. Members of the Karnataka Sangarama Sene pasted ‘Jai Karnataka’ and ‘Jai Kannadambe’ stickers on a Maharashtra bus parked at the new bus stand on Gokul Road in Hubballi on Wednesday night.