The Maharashtra assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to "legally pursue" inclusion of 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka into the western state, amid a raging boundary dispute between the two states.

The resolution moved by CM Eknath Shinde said the Karnataka state legislature had passed a resolution on the issue to purposely fuel the boundary row. The Karnataka assembly had resolved to protect the southern state's interests and not cede land to its neighbour.

"The state government stands resolutely with the Marathi-speaking people in 865 villages. The state government will legally pursue in the Supreme Court the case to include inch and inch of land of the 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka," said the resolution passed in the Maharashtra assembly.