Team Herald
PANJIM: Activists on Sunday accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led BJP government of surrendering to the demands of Karnataka on the Mhadei river diversion issue and said that it will have catastrophic effect on Goa if government fails to protect Goa’s interest.
Activists held a demonstration against the government at Mahatma Gandhi Circle, Old Goa, appealing to Goans to hit the streets and to fight for the rights of Goa.
“Government spent crores of rupees on advocates to represent Goa’s case before different Courts, but it has not yielded any positive results for us. It’s time for the people in government to sit at home. We are ready to fight for our rights,” Activist Mahesh Nayak said.
Activist Shankar Polji said that government should not forget that in Goa drinking water is received from Mhadei river and also people are dependent on Mhadei water for agricultural activities.
Velim AAP MLA Cruz Silva who also participated in the protest alleged that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has compromised on Goa’s interest in Mhadei river diversion issue to politically benefit the BJP in ensuing Karnataka assembly elections.
“We survive today by drinking water from Mhadei river. Mhadei is our mother and we will not allow BJP to sell our Mother Mhadei,” AAP leader Pratima Coutinho said.
The activists urged the people to come out in large numbers on January 16 to hold a protest march at Sanquelim against the BJP government.
