Shettar asks Mahadayi agitators to protest against Congress

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar has asked Mahadayi agitators to protest against the Congress Party, saying that 'Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had not even tried to convince Goa Congress leaders for talks to resolve Mahadayi dispute out-of-the-tribunal, though the BJP convinced Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.'

The previous all-party meeting had decided to convince both ruling and opposition parties in Goa by the respective parties here, but Mr Siddaramaiah has not done that, and has now called another meeting on January 27, he charged.

Speaking to media persons here on Monday, Mr Shettar alleged that Congress is playing cheap politics in Mahadayi issue, by repeatedly seeking the prime minister's intervention, and it wants to keep the dispute alive.

"We will attend the all-party meeting, and will remind Mr Siddaramaiah about the decision taken in the previous meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked to create a consensus among both ruling and opposition in concerned States, to prevent the failure of efforts to hold talks over the issue," he said.

'Govt-sponsored bandhs'

Mr Siddaramaiah is directly supporting bandh demanding the prime minister's intervention in Mahadayi dispute, and it shows that Karnataka bandh on January 25 and Bengaluru bandh on February 4 are government-sponsored. It is a conspiracy by Mr Siddaramaiah, as he is afraid of Mr Modi's visit to Bengaluru to attend the BJP's Parivartana Yatra valedictory, Mr Shettar charged.

Two years back, Mr Siddaramaiah himself had said that the dispute is before the tribunal and there was no need for the prime minister's intervention. Now, he is seeking prime minister's intervention. Why he did not take a delegation to New Delhi when Manmohan Singh was the prime minister, he asked.

'Rahul should speak'

"BJP took the initiative to start Kalasa canal work. UPA government was responsible for the formation of Mahadayi tribunal, as it informed the Supreme Court that the dispute cannot be resolved through talks, and Sonia Gandhi stated that diversion of Mahadayi water to Karnataka would not be allowed. Now, AICC President Rahul Gandhi should make his stand on Mahadayi issue clear, before visiting the State, failing which we would stage protests and give call for bandh," Mr Shettar noted.

Instead of taking steps to strengthen the legal battle by presenting a strong argument before the tribunal, Water Resources Minister M B Patil is merely blaming the BJP, he lamented.

'Scam in sand import'

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar charged that the government's move to import sand from Malaysia and sell it in bags here is a big scam, as it involved corruption.

This government has not made proper arrangements to distribute sand available in the State, while there is a scam in importing it. I will reveal the details shortly, he added.

MP Pralhad Joshi, MLCs Pradeep Shettar, S V Sankanur, former ministers Basavaraj Bommai, C C Patil, and others were present.