Mahadayi river dispute: Farmers’ anger against PM puts BJP in tight spot
Hubballi/Bengaluru: Is the movement over the Mahadayi row overshadowed by caste equations and local politics? This doubt has arisen after thousands of protesters complained during a recent meet that seers and a few farmer leaders are trying to suppress the movement after getting bribes and other inducements.
Sources said that several BJP leaders, who had lost the previous Assembly elections in the region, were funding the movement to keep the issue alive and highlight the failure of local legislators to implement the water project. But their strategy boomeranged after a wave of anger against Prime Minister Narendra Modi who failed to give a positive response to the all-party delegation led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to resolve the dispute.
This has reportedly prompted BJP leaders to stop monetary assistance for the movement, triggering differences among farmer leaders over continuing the agitation due to lack of funds. Many farmer leaders, who have been in the forefront of agitation since more than a decade, are not taking part now.
Caste is also playing havoc in the movement as BJP leaders are trying to gain political mileage through seers belonging to their community. Sources said Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamiji of Kudal Sangam Panchamsali Peeth has been leading the agitation in Nargund as a mark of support for former minister and BJP leader C.C. Patil, who lost the Assembly election as he belongs to the same community. Sources said the seer has spearheading the movement after holding talks with several leaders of Panchamasali sect of Lingayat community in the region.
“Several farmer leaders and politicians are taking part in it for their personal gain. The all-party delegation was dominated by BJP leaders but they failed to convince Narendra Modi though he has the right to accord temporary permission for use of river water for drinking purposes under Article 262 and 263 of the Constitution. The movement will not last as it is being funded by political leaders to direct public anger against local legislators and the state government,” said Vijay Kulkarni, president of Kalasa Banduri Horata Samiti.
He has been fighting for the cause of farmers demanding early implementation of Kalasa Banduri project since more than a decade. He had also launched a letter campaign writing one lakh letters to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Governor and President. But, he did not get any response from them.
Speedy disposal of row: State to file interim plea
The state government has decided to file an interim application before the Mahadayi Tribunal, seeking speedy resolution of the dispute over Mahadayi river water sharing. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, water resources minister M.B. Patil said the government was holding talks with state counsels in Delhi for filing the application which would be done within a week.
Though the state government wanted to file an interim application regarding utilisation of 7.5 tmc ft of water for drinking purpose, counsel Mr Nariman was against it. If the Tribunal orders that the status-quo be maintained, it would not help the state. Instead, by explaining the plight of people, the government will seek early disposal of the case itself. The term of the Tribunal ends in April 2016 and the state cannot afford an extension, he said.
Accusing the BJP of politicking on the issue, Mr Patil said that even the Prime Minister had asked the state delegation to talk to Congress leaders in Goa and Maharashtra. “The Prime Minister cannot talk like this in a federal system. We sought his intervention to resolve the issue there are precedents for such intervention. If he is bringing party politics into this, it is unfortunate,” he said.
He also accused BJP leaders Pralhad Joshi, Jagadish Shettar and Ananth Kumar of politicising the issue. The state government will wait for the Prime Minister to convene meeting of the three state chief ministers, he said. When asked if the Chief Minister himself would meet the Goa and Maharashtra Chief Ministers, seeking their cooperation, Mr Patil answered in the negative and said the state was waiting for the Prime Minister’s intervention.
Now, Revanna fires salvo at Joshi
In a surprise move, JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna fired a salvo at BJP which had blamed his party for the farmers’ agitation over the Kalasa-Banduri project turning violent in Hubli-Dharwad.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Mr Revanna said BJP President Pralhad Joshi should be responsible while making such statements.
“Farmers are agitating for the last six weeks as they have lost crops. If BJP wants the agitation to mellow down, let them go to the Centre and get Rs 1000 crore as compensation for farmers,” he said.
On the JD(S) skipping the all-party delegation to the PM, he said: “Mr Kumaraswamy was not well, so he did not join the team. Our party representatives were there. Mr Deve Gowda has given a statement that he would abide by the decision of the all-party delegation. It does not mean we do not know about the issue.”
