Shinde revolt in Maha worries MES

Belagavi: Eknath Shinde (in pic), a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, is in the news after his rebellion against the leadership of the Shiv Sena, along with 40 other legislators.
Although the developments have been taking place in Maharashtra, it has kept the leaders and activists of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on their toes in Belagavi.
The MES is worried about the developments in Maharashtra politics because the leaders feel change in the government in Maharashtra will impact the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute. Political developments in Maharashtra have been a hot topic for discussion among MES leaders and activists in Belagavi since Tuesday morning.
“The developments in Maharashtra are indeed worrisome as far as the border dispute issue is concerned. The Shiv Sena and the NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, have lot of concern regarding the dispute. This MVA government has taken many steps, including strengthening legal division, that has boosted the confidence of Marathi-speaking people and created fresh hope among Marathi speakers in the border area. We don’t know what will happen next,” Shubham Shelke, MES youth president of Belagavi, said.
Shinde has been connected with the border issue for a long time. He has maintained close relations with the MES and Shiv Sena leaders in Belagavi.
Considering his close proximity with Marathi speaking people in Belagavi district, he was appointed the in-charge of the coordination committee on the border dispute. The committee looks into legal matters related to the dispute and supports the fight of MES.
Shinde has regularly supported the MES and activists financially, which has created an air of favour for him here. He was a part of the movement opposing the imposition of Kannada upon Marathi-speaking people in 1986.
He was arrested during the movement and imprisoned.
MES leaders were putting pressure on Shinde for the past few months to visit Belagavi and hold discussions with activists.