As the contentious issue of water sharing from Mahadayi between Karnataka and Goa has become a major political row between ruling Congress and Opposition BJP ahead of ensuing elections to the Assembly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the issue. Addressing the reporters at Naragunda in north Karnataka on the sidelines of a function on Monday he said it is now PM should intervene and resolve the issue.
He said “We have done everything we should have. It is for the Prime Minister to resolve the issues confronting the Mahadayi project through his intervention."
He also told the members of an all party delegation that he said he had met the PM and made all efforts but said it is only PM can intervene and resolve the issue.
In poll bound Karnataka water sharing from river Mahadayi for drinking water purpose for many districts of North Karnataka has become one of the major issues for both the national parties. The Tribunal has also asked the concerned parties to resolve the issue amicably. It is an advantage for the BJP to deal with the issue with Goa government headed by chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
Meanwhile BJP State president B S Yeddyurappa blamed the Congress Government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not resolving the issue. He said that he had taken complete responsibility upon himself to help resolve the Mahadayi water dispute in the next 15 to 20 days. Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Yeddyurappa said that the BJP would work towards an out-of-tribunal settlement between Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra to end the stalemate.
He said "I have already spoken to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. I will speak with him again. I am certain that we will find a solution to this problem. I can guarantee that 7.56 tmcft water will be released to Karnataka for drinking water purposes. I have taken up the responsibility as I have complete faith in my all India leaders."
Further, Yeddyurappa said that the BJP would ensure that the dispute is resolved without the state government's support.
"The dispute will be resolved without Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's role. There is no need for his involvement whatsoever. It is because of the Congress and its leader Sonia Gandhi that we are in this situation today. They are the ones who moved the Supreme Court, which resulted in the constitution of the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal. The Congress has completely failed in addressing this issue. We will do this without the state government's support. Siddaramaiah has no concern his only concern is playing politics," added Yeddyurappa.