Hubballi: Public outrage over the postponement of the Chief Ministers’ meeting on the Mahadayi water dispute spilled over into the streets in several parts of Mumbai-Karnataka on Friday.
As disappointed farmers took to the streets to register their protest, farmers’ organisations decided to hold a convention in the city on October 26 to stop the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party from putting off the meeting in view of the coming Assembly elections in Goa.
"The Mumbai meeting has been postponed as both the Congress and BJP in Goa are trying to keep their votebanks intact ahead of the Assembly elections in that state. The solution to the Mahadayi dispute is hanging in balance as the Congress leaders in Karnataka and its high command have failed to convince its party leaders in Goa to fall in line," regretted Kalasa Banduri Co-ordination Committee convenor, Vikas Soppin.
Upset over the uncertainty over the meeting of the Chief Ministers, the farmers leaders have decided to evolve a strategy and step up the movement for Mahadayi water at the October 26 convention. They also want Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Congress high command to intervene in the matter setting aside their political differences.
While one BJP leader has claimed the Chief Ministers could meet on November 3, senior BJP leader, K S Eshwarappa has candidly admitted the meeting could be rescheduled to after the Assembly elections in Goa as the party’s prospects could suffer should that state’s Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar participate in it. The Congress too has similar concerns, according to him.
