Team Herald
PANJIM: In a bid to press for State’s demand before the Central government to withdraw the approval given to Karnataka’s DPR of the Kalasa-Bhandura dam project on River Mhadei, the Goa BJP unit has decided to start a ‘Signature Campaign’ across the State.
With the matter pending before the Supreme Court, the BJP unit on Tuesday resolved to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J P Nadda with the demand that the Central Water Commission’s (CWC) approval be withdrawn immediately.
BJP’s State office bearers and core committee meetings were held on Monday, during which it was decided to take up the Mhadei River water diversion issue with the Central government through various mediums.
Addressing mediapersons, BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanawade announced that a signature campaign will be launched across Goa to save Mhadei. He said that any diversion of Mhadei River water will have direct impact on five talukas and five wildlife sanctuaries, apart from ecology, flora and fauna.
“People of the State have started to vent anger over the approval of DPR. Everyone is feeling that the decision was one-sided and it is injustice to Goa,” he said.
Tanawade said that during the meeting it was decided to send party’s resolution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J P Nadda for immediate action and pointing out that the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court.
The State BJP President also said that they have passed a resolution stating that till the Supreme Court gives its order over the pending cases, no action should be taken with regard to diversion of water.
The party has also asked the local bodies, including panchayats and municipalities headed by BJP, to take resolution appealing to withdraw approval of DPR and no action should be taken till the Supreme Court decides on the matter. “We have asked them to write to the Prime Minister with their resolution,” he said.
Tanawade also criticized the Opposition for boycotting the all-party meeting and trying to gain publicity by politicising the issue. “In Karnataka, ruling as well as opposition is united on Mhadei. But that is not the case in Goa. This is not a BJP issue but it is a State issue…it is a fight to protect our identity and hence we appeal to all to be united,” the BJP president said.
