BICHOLIM: Congress workers staged an agitation in Bicholim on Wednesday by burning an effigy of Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar for granting permission to Karnataka to divert water from Mhadei River.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to Bicholim Deputy Collector, condemning the action of Javadekar.
More than 50 Congress workers gathered at the old bus stand and accused the BJP of playing game over Mhadei issue.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar stated that the chief minister is “deceiving the public”.
“Mhadei has exposed the double standards of BJP government at the State and at the Centre. It is only a plan by BJP to win elections in Karnataka,” Chodankar said.
He also accused Goa Forward Party for being part of BJP for looting the State over the issue.
“They have done picnics and have looted money,” Chodankar accused.
He advised the government “not to play” with Goans stating that they would further intensify the agitation. “We have submitted a memo with the deputy collector and have asked him to convey our anger to the government,” Chodankar said.
Mahila Congress President Pratima Couthino stated that they came to Bicholim to condemn the decision of the Central leaders. “This is an awareness carried out by Congress and the message should go to the Centre that we would not compromise on the issue” she said adding, “If Mhadei is gone, we will not have any water left in the State.”
Later, an effigy of Javadekar was burnt.
“We strongly demand that the government strongly protest so that the Central government withdraws its unilateral consent given to fulfil its selfish political agenda. It would lead to extinction of the Goa as there is no other reliable source of river water for drinking except Mhadei river basin,” the memo states.
