PANJIM: At a time when all opposition parties including Goa Congress has made coal transportation a major election issue, veteran Karnataka Congress leader, former minister, and longest-serving MLA Raghunath Vishwanath (R V) Deshpande said there are other alternatives like the sea route through which coal can be directly transported to Karnataka and avoid Goa altogether.
“Although Karnataka’s steel plants in Bellary are the beneficiaries of coal transportation, there are other alternatives available to avoid transporting it through Goa. One can easily explore the waterways. There are ports in Karnataka from Karwar onwards. The coal can directly come to our ports and from there it could be transported by road. We also have railway stations which can be utilised,” Deshpande told Herald.
Mining irregularities in Cong era from 2007-12
“We had led a movement against Illegalities in mining in Karnataka. Mr. P Chidambaram has very clearly stated that after elections are over, we will send our expert legal team to Goa and find out the real issues and take up the matter with Supreme Court to allow legal mining. We don’t endorse illegalities,” Deshpande said on the illegalities in mining during Congress tenure in Goa.
He said that though Digambar Kamat was the CM then, he has denied any involvement. “But even if something wrong happened, it has to be corrected. Ultimately the mining industry is also important for Goa’s economy. Goa’s told development has stopped, the coffers are empty. If legal mining is allowed, it can generate employment and lead to development. It is our responsibility to ensure there is transparency and legal things happen. At the same time the Goa government should act against whoever is guilty,” he said.
Mhadei water sharing row
He was asked about the Sharing of the Mhadei river that has been a bone of contention between both Karnataka and Goa for long. Goa feels there has been the diversion of water from Goa into Karnataka to feed the canals of the Malprabha basin. Is Karnataka having a big brother attitude towards Goa?
“There is no big brother attitude. Goa is a friendly State. In 2016 when Mr. Siddaramaiah was the chief minister, an all-party delegation from Karnataka met Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in resolving the inter-state Mhadei river dispute. Instead of resolving the matter, he said told the CM to convince the Goa Congress counterparts,” the veteran Congress leader said.
He said that Mhadei issue is not an irrigation issue. It is a drinking water problem and both States should cooperate with each other. “It has been our consistent stand that we should sit together and resolve the differences instead of going to tribunals as it will take years together to get a resolution,” Deshpande said.
Mood difference between 2017 and now
In 2017, the polling percentage was 81% in the Goa polls. Congress got 17 seats and 13 to BJP. Everybody thought Cong will form the government. But then BJP led by the late Manohar Parrikar formed the government.
“To some extent, we are to be blamed for this. We should have immediately staked claim to form the government. But the governor should have also realised that in the number game, we were far ahead of BJP,” he said.
According to him, at present BJP government in Goa has gone far away from the people.
“In last five years, except slogans and promises what has the government done? I don’t see any major development happening. No major programmes for the farmers and the poor. Corruption has become rampant,” he said.
Defections are blessing in disguise
“One good thing that has happened is Rahul Gandhi decided no defector will be taken back by the party. Also, the defections by 10 Congress MLAs to BJP allowed us to field new faces. Ultimately people want good faces who will work for them. They are well educated. I think this will work in our favour. In contrast, most of the BJP candidates are contesting have lost their reputation,” he said.
CM face of Congress party
“The Goa Congress has to announce the CM candidate before the polls. Although it is obvious who is the most eligible and experienced candidate amongst those fielded by the party, still the name should be announced. If we could do it in Punjab, then why not in Goa? It is easier to announce in Goa,” Deshpande said.
Candidates’ oath against defection
“More than taking an oath, the decision by Congress party not to encourage any defectors itself gives credibility to Congress party. It is more of a moral binding on a person than a legal one to deter defection. This will also build confidence in the minds of voters that these are prospective MLAs are morally binding themselves that they won’t defect. There will be pressure from the central government. But I am sure they will be able to withstand it,” said the confident-sounding Congressman.
