Congress villain in Mahadayi dispute, says Javadekar

Bengaluru, dhns: The blame game between the Congress and the BJPon the Mahadayi issue continued on Monday with the latter accusing the state government of being the "culprit and villain" in the resolution of the dispute.

Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said: "The dispute remains unresolved and Congress is the main culprit and villain. It was the Atal Behari Vajpayee government at the Centre in 2001 which gave in-principle approval for the project. Canal work started when BSYeddyurappawas the chief minister and KSEshwarappa, the irrigation minister.What has the Siddaramaiah government achieved during the last four years ?" he sought to know.

Javadekar said the ruling Congress, instead of appreciating the move of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar expressing his willingness to resolve the issue, was making uncharitable remarks against the BJP. Javadekar, however, did not reply to a query on when Karnataka will get Mahadayi waters.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president GParameshwara said Parrikar writing to (BJPpresident) Yeddyurappa on the issue was not according to law. "He should have written to Karnataka chief minister or the chief secretary. Writing to the BJPpresident was a political gimmick to woo the people of North Karnataka ahead of the polls. The people has seen through BJP's game plan," he said.