Bengaluru: “I am disappointed.... I am pained that the Prime Minister has not yet given us an appointment for taking an all-party delegation to him on the Mahadayi river water diversion,” said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah making no secret of his feelings on the issue.
Earlier, Mr Siddaramaiah had turned down an offer to lead the Swachh Bharat Andolan made by the PM and had also declined to join him on his China tour. Later, he missed the Chief Ministers’ meeting called in Delhi which could be the reason he is at the receiving end now, said sources.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with farmers from Kalasa-Banduri region, Mr Siddaramaiah appealed to farmers and seers to withdraw their agitation as the government is with them. “Soon after the Assembly session was over on July 27, the State had sought an appointment with the Prime Minister. We had also said that it would be better if the appointment was given when Parliament session was in progress. When we did not get any response, I held two rounds of talks with Union Ministers Ananth Kumar and Sadananda Gowda. But, we have not received any response from the Prime Minister’s office. I do not want to attribute any political motives for not getting appointment,” Mr Siddaramaiah said.
Declining to divulge details of the Mahadayi diversion project, he said the issue was in the Tribunal. “What we are asking for is 7.5 tmc ft of water for drinking purposes. This has to be given and for that, we need to take an all-party delegation to the Prime Minister,” Mr Siddaramaiah added.
If the appointment with the PM does not happen, an all-party meeting would be called on August 23, a day after the BBMP election is over to discuss the future course of action.
