Another bandh on Mahadayi issue coming on Dec 27

After a gap of several months, a call for bandh in the entire Malaprabha command area has been given, after State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa released the letter written to him by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Opining that mere letter would not help to speedily divert water from Mahadayi basin to Malaprabha river for the drinking water needs in the region, Mahadayi & Kalasa-Banduri Horata Samanvaya Samiti has given a call for bandh in Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot, and Belagavi districts on December 27, demanding immediate and direct intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve Mahadayi dispute through talks.

The samiti members held a meeting here on Friday, and they later told media persons that the agitation would continue till the issue reaches a logical end. A formal meeting between Goa and Karnataka governments, and filing affidavit before Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal are essential to make some progress in the efforts to resolve the dispute through talks, they said.

Samiti Convener Rajanna Koravi noted that expectations put on Mr Yeddyurappa are shattered, and a bandh would be observed in the region, seeking the prime minister's intervention and waiver of farm loans borrowed from nationalised banks also.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should also try to convince Congress leaders in Goa for an amicable settlement outside the tribunal. Mr Parrikar is making light remarks in the issue, he said, adding that the BJP is just playing a drama in this issue.

Vikas Soppin noted that the State Government should ask the Goa government to fix the date for talks, while the issue would be brought to the notice of the tribunal also, to know whether Goa is really interested in this issue.

Veerana Malagi, Amruth Ijari, Manjunath Luthimath, and others were present.

Protest staged

Meanwhile, the members of Karnataka Kalasa-Banduri Horata Samiti staged a protest at Sangolli Rayanna Circle here on Friday, alleging that Mr Yeddyurappa gave a false assurance regarding Mahadayi dispute.

All parties are using Mahadayi dispute just for their political gains, and they would not be allowed to do electioneering in North Karnataka region, if they fail to resolve the dispute at the earliest," Samiti President Siddu Teji said.

Farmers leave for B'luru

Meanwhile, Raitha Sena Karnataka, which is leading the continuous agitation at Nargund in Gadag district, has decided to meet Mr Yeddyurappa at the BJP office at Malleshwaram in Bengaluru on Saturday (December 23), to get a clear picture about the ongoing developments in the Mahadayi issue.

Before leaving for Bengaluru, farmers led by Raitha Sena Karnataka office-bearers Veeresh Sobaradmath and Shankrappa Ambali took out a rally from Chennamma Circle to the railway station here on Friday.

If the Goa's intention mentioned in the letter is true, date should be fixed to sign an agreement between Goa and Karnataka, while details like duration required and quantum of water to be diverted should be disclosed, Mr Sobaradmath said.

Reactions

Navalgund-based Pakshateeta Raitha Horata Smiti President Lokanath Hebsur charged that Mr Yeddyurapa has betrayed the people by not fulfilling his promise, as a mere letter would not bring water. "We will blacken the faces of BJP leaders if they come to our region," he said.

Kalasa-Banduri Malaprabha Jodana Yuva Horata Kendra Samithi President Vijay Kulkarni lamented that the Goa CM's letter would not result in speedy solution for the drinking water problem in the region, and all three political parties are just trying to get political mileage in Mahadayi issue.