PANJIM: Accusing the BJP-led State government of surrendering Manohar Parrikar’s legacy regarding the diversion of Mhadei river water, Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai on Thursday called for Chief Minister demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for being “ignorant” about the Centre’s “controversial” green clearance to Karnataka for the Kalasa-Banduri project over the River.
The demand comes a day after Sawant claimed to be unaware about the Environment clearance been granted to the project.
Following Union Minister Prakash Javadekar tweet announcing the grant of EC, Chief Minister also tweeted stating, “Mhadei (river Mahadayi) is more than mother to us. We shall protect it at any cost. Officially Govt of Goa is not aware of any EC having been granted to Karnataka affecting Mhadei (Mahadayi) river”. He further commented that EC cannot be granted without hearing Goa and the same, if given, would be challenged before National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Addressing media, Sardesai produced the copy of EC granted to Karnataka, which the party will now challenge before NGT pleading for the stay. “I demand CM resignation because of his ignorance, because of his intelligent failure to know that Karnataka applied for EC in April 2019,” he added.
“The Goa Government, which has filed a petition challenging the sharing of Mhadei River water in Supreme Court, was completely unaware. His (CM) ignorance is worth resignation,” he said. “Also, if CM was not consulted then he is not worth of leading the State anymore. He (CM) should resign on moral grounds,” Sardesai, who was the first to oppose Centre’s move, demanded.
Pointing to Union Minister for Mines and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi meeting with Chief Minister, last month, Sardesai sought to know what was discussed in the close-door meeting. “Javadekar has tweeted that EC is granted on the insistence of Pralhad Joshi, whom Goa CM met last month in a star hotel. What was discussed in that meeting? We want to know. If mining, then what is the status of mining resumption,” he questioned.
He charged that Central govt led by BJP has taken its Goa counterpart for granted. “Under (late) Manohar Parrikar, BJP central leadership use to respect the State and work in its interest. Everything is now gone,” he said.
Sardesai, who was part of than Parrikar-led government in March 2017, said, “Chief Minister sought to surrender the legacy of Parrikar, who went all out to defend Mahadayi interest before Centre way back in 2002”.
GFP president said that party will challenge the EC granted to the project before the NGT on the ground that the project falls within wildlife sanctuary, within 1kms buffer zone, diversion of forest land, etc. He has appealed to former State Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande to be the counsel. He also said that the party will launch village-level agitation creating awareness on the issue.
Sardesai has also supported Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat demand for Special Assembly session to discuss Mhadei issue and has urged MGP and Independent MLAs to support the same. “I also want the cabinet Ministers and North Goa ruling MLAs to make their stand clear,” he said.
