Team Herald
PANJIM: With an eye on forthcoming 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, the BJP Central leadership Centre has stepped in to bring about a kind of an ‘amicable’ solution to the ongoing tussle between Goa and Karnataka on the Mhadei water diversion issue.
Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra are fighting a legal battle for diversion of the Mhadei River water before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT). Karnataka and Maharashtra have proposed diversion of water from the river, which flows into Goa, and the State has strongly objected to this on grounds of water scarcity, environment destruction, wildlife damage, etc.
BJP National president Amit Shah on Wednesday met Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Karnataka BJP President BS Yeddyurappa, Bengaluru Member of Parliament Anant Kumar and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi, in New Delhi. Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Prakash Javadekar was also present for the meeting.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that the meeting took place and said that Karnataka has requested Parrikar to give water for drinking purposes. However, Parrikar has not given an assurance on the same. “CM listened to their demand but no assurance was given,” the CMO said.
Karnataka, which has proposed construction of 12 dams across the river, has demanded 56 tmc of water for diversion.
Karnataka’s initial plea for diversion of 7 tmc of water has already been rejected by the MWDT and so also the Supreme Court.
Karnataka that is governed by Congress will be having Assembly elections next year. BJP, which is in power in 19 States of the country, is eyeing a big victory in Karnataka.
