JOIN USGoa CM willing for talks over Mahadayi issue, says Muralidhar Rao
BJP National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao, who is the in-charge of the party’s affairs in Karnataka, stated that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has expressed his willingness to hold talks on the issue for resolving Mahadayi dispute out-of-the-tribunal, but only if Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah convinces Congress Party leaders in Goa.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, Mr Rao noted that the Goa BJP is ready for talks regarding the inter-State dispute over Mahadayi water sharing, due to the initiation taken by State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa.
The BJP is ready to go to any extent to protect the interests of farmers who are demanding diversion of water from Mahadayi basin to Malaprabha river. Mr Yeddyurappa approached chief ministers of Goa and Maharashtra, for holding talks. We will take care of BJP in Goa, and Mr Parrikar is our man. If Mr Siddaramaiah convinces Goa Congress for resolving the dispute through talks, the problem would be solved within 15 days, he said.
Deadlock in Mahadayi issue is the result of politicisation of the issue by the Congress Party and Mr Siddaramaiah, he charged.
‘Parivarthana Yatra’
He said, the BJP is ready to face Assembly elections in the State any time. With ‘new Karnataka, corruption-free Karnataka & progress of Karnataka’ theme, ‘Parivarthana Yatra’ would be conducted in the State under the leadership of Mr Yeddyurappa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Amit Shah would also take part in it, Mr Rao said. “Winning 150 seats and making Karnataka free from Congress misrule are the objectives of the BJP,” he noted.
On Gauri murder
The BJP always opposes violence, and it condemns the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh. But, All-India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice-President Rahul Gandhi launched an orchestrated campaign to mislead the interrogation of this murder case. To save somebody, an attempt was made to derail the investigation process, Mr Rao charged.
The BJP is a victim of poor law and order situation in the State, and it lost more than 10 workers due to political violence. Congress Party’s approach towards radicalisation of some Muslims, due to its vote bank politics, has resulted in the increase of threat to national security. The BJP would fight against this, and would mobilise public opinion, he noted.
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar, MP Pralhad Joshi, MLA Aravind Bellad, MLC Pradeep Shettar, former minister C T Ravi, and others were present. Mr Muralidhar Rao also held meetings with BJP leaders in the district, BJP workers, and corporators. He will review the party’s preparations for Assembly elections in North Karnataka region, at a meeting to be held in Bagalkot on Thursday (September 14).
Rahul Gandhi criticised
Criticising AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi for his statement on dynastic politics in India, BJP National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao stated that dynastic rule and democracy cannot coexist, and the dynastic politics by the Congress should perish in the interest of the country.
As the dynastic rule has no space for internal democracy, the BJP is against it. BJP will not be led by a person because of his family background, Mr Rao added.