Belagavi: After a gap of 32 years, NCP president Sharad Pawar visited this border city to support members of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) that efforts would be made by leaders hailing from Maharashtra to take the border dispute with Karnataka to the logical end.

Addressing a convention of MES organised here, Mr Pawar said in case more legislators are elected to the Legislative Assembly on MES tickets, counsels of Maharastra Government would be able to present the facts to the Supreme Court and ensure an early end to the vexed border dispute. “We (Marathi people) never opposed any language spoken in various states, be it Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Punabi or Gujarati. We have always respected each and every language and culture. During my tenure as CM, I have gone out of the way to ensure supply of water to Karnataka from Maharashtra's Koyna reservoir so that the people of drought-affected areas got water to drink. We want people from the other side also to respect us the same way,'' he added.

Speaking to media persons at Belagavi airport earlier, Mr Pawar hinted at formation of a Third Front to give a different direction to the country's politics. Talks had commenced to make way for formation of Third Front in many parts and leaders had taken initiative to give a good shape to it, he said. He did not clarify if he was involved in them. He also did not to respond to questions about NCP's proposed alliance with JD (S) in the state.