Kalasa: ‘State must talk to Goa, Maharashtra’

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly informed state BJP leaders that he will take a decision on implementing the controversial Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project, only after the Karnataka government manages to convince Goa and Maharashtra to stop resisting the project.

The project involves diversion of water from the Mahadayi river which flows through Goa, to Malaprabha river in Karnataka to meet the drinking water needs of Dharwad, Belagavi and Gadag districts

During a brief meeting with BJP core committee leaders at Mysuru Saturday evening, Mr Modi categorically told party leaders that the Karnataka Chief Minister would have to talk to the Goa and Maharashtra chief ministers regarding implementation of the project. If this happens, the Centre can take a decision, Mr Modi told party leaders.

Sources said the BJP core committee leaders told the Prime Minister that the stalling of the irrigation project had hit the party’s image in its stronghold, North Karnataka. The Congress government is blaming the Centre for not giving permission for the project, they told the Prime Minister.

The project covers five parliamentary constituencies represented by the Bharatiya Janata Party

A request was also made to the Prime Minister to ensure release of Rs 1,540 crore for drought relief to Karnataka, as announced by the Centre recently. The Congress might make the non-release of funds an issue in the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections due in February, BJP leaders told Mr Modi.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem of the debacle in the recent Council elections is on with the BJP core committee leaders instructing district office bearers to submit a detailed report on the failure to win more seats.