Bengaluru: With Goa CM Manohar Parrikar digging his heels in on the contentious issue of sharing water of the river Mahadayi, BJP president Amit Shah has acceded to the plea of leaders of state unit of the party to step in and resolve the dispute amicably.
Mr Shah’s decision comes at a time when Mr. Parrikar refused to come for discussions with his counterparts from Karnataka and Maharashtra to sort out the issue through an out of court settlement. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah efforts through two letters, requesting Mr. Parrikar to come for talks to resolve the dispute issue as suggested by Mahadayi River Water Disputes Tribunal went in vain as the latter maintained that since the matter was pending before the Tribunal, it would not be proper on part of Goa to agree for an out of court settlement.
Sensing that Mr Parrikar’s rigid stand would hurt the prospects of the party in next year’s Assembly elections, state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa and other leaders prevailed upon Mr Shah to intervene.
Sources close to Mr. Yeddyurappa confirmed to DC that Mr. Shah agreed to resolve the crisis by convincing Mr Parrikar, if possible within two-weeks, by inviting him and other leaders to New Delhi for discussions, sources added.
Sources said BJP leaders explained to Mr Shah the need for release of 7.56 TMC feet of water through Kalasa-Banduri canal to meet the demand for drinking water in Hubballi-Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and some part of Belagavi districts. The proposed drinking water project would provide to 11 taluks, including Bailahongala taluk in Belagavi district.
According to sources close to Mr. Yeddyurappa, proposed Kalasa-Banduri project would directly impact 25 Assembly segments. If the party failed to convince people over this most demanded drinking water project, his party would be routed in 25 Assembly constituencies in North Karnataka. This point was explained to Mr Shah, sources added.
Farmers to intensify stir
Irked by the lackadaisical attitude of Congress and BJP leaders in resolving Mahadayi dispute, local farmers have threatened to intensify the movement through self-immolition.
Leaders of both these parties had agreed to convince their respective leaders in Goa about the need for sharing water for the benefit of drought-hit farmers. But, they have not approached them despite three months after the all-party meeting, forcing farmers to resort to Gandhigiri by taking up fast in Navalgund town. But, the failure of elected representatives to fulfill their promise has forced the farmers to renew their strategy and planning to step up campaign against the candidates of both parties who will be in the poll fray. The agitation over Mahadayi water has completed 823 days in Nargund on Saturday. Still, Congress and BJP leaders are dragging their feet over the issue. They are indulging in blame-game as elections are few months away.
Meanwhile, BJP sources claim that the move for any dialogue would stir up hornet’s nest as there is chance of its own government in Goa reducing to minority with small parties withdrawing the support to it. Therefore, the agitators are planning to undertake indefinite fast in Bengaluru to exert pressure on the government as such movement held in Nargund and Navalgund has failed to attract the attention of the elected representatives.
