Karnataka’s gradually growing and stale polemics on the Mhadei issue continues with former Chief Minister and BJP head Mr Yedurappa now asking Sonia Gandhi, on a private visit to Goa, to speak to the Goa Congress to back the release of Mhadei waters to Karnataka.
What is getting increasingly clear, is that for the BJP in Karnataka, the desire is not for Mhadei water but Mhadei votes. And while the argument over water for drinking or irrigation will continue the Karnataka BJP’s real demand is votes, not water.
Hence it is a very cruel irony that Mr Yedurappa is sermonising the Goa Congress, asking it take a stand to favour Karnataka’s interests. Gradually, and in spite of protests still continuing, it is becoming clear that the Goa government will not, and nor will it be in a position to, make even a “drop” of compromise on the issue of water. It may be recalled that Mr Yedurappa, after receiving the Goa Chief Minister’s letter, stating that he was open to a discussion of justifiable water sharing, hit the road claiming victory for the State. What was unsaid but implied was that this victory would be signed sealed and delivered if a BJP government came to power in Karnataka.
The Goa government and/or those in the helm of the legal affairs of Mhadei have since then made the following critical statements:
1) Discussions on the release of drinking water, and that too on terms pre-decided in the tribunal would take place only if Karnataka gave up plans to construct 8 dams which would divert water out of the Mhadei basin to Malprabha basin
2) The quantum of drinking water which could be discussed would not be more than 0.1 TMC, which was the amount discussed in front of the tribunal and not anything beyond
3) Goa has made no commitment on tripartite political level or official level talks with Karnataka and Maharashtra on the issue
The combination of these three stands sends a completely different signal to Karnataka, a far cry from the day when the CM’s letter was literally waved by Yedurappa like a gold medal won.
The Goa Congress should therefore focus on ensuring that these stands are consistently maintained and that the whole of Goa speaks in one voice. It serves the Congress more in the, long run if it plays the role of a super watchdog backing the three stands mentioned earlier. If it gets trapped in the CM’s letter issue, the larger battle of making it clear to Karnataka that there is all party unity on the state’s stand will be lost.
It will indeed be prudent if the Congress, the BJP and all other ruling allies, can see a meeting ground on an issue of common interest and issue a joint statement after passing a resolution in the Assembly on the points of dams, the quantum of water and the sanctity of the tribunal above all else.
It will be in the fitness of things if a one day special Assembly session is called to pass a resolution on Goa’s stand, as a clear unambiguous State stand which would supersede all else.
