<p>Independent MLA and former Goa minister Rohan Khaunte on Saturday accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of being a "puppet of the Centre" and failing to protect the interests of the state in the Mahadayi water dispute with neighbouring Karnataka.</p>.<p>Khaunte hit out at Sawant against the backdrop of a letter written by the Union environment ministry on December 24 to Karnataka stating that environment clearance was not required for the Kalsa Bhanduri project on Mahadayi.</p>.<p>Goa and Karnataka are embroiled in a dispute on sharing of Mahadayi river water, and the former has been opposing the latter's Kalsa Bhanduri project.</p>.<p>Khaunte was a minister under Sawant but was sacked in July this year after ten Congress MLAs joined the BJP and gave the saffron party a majority in the 40-member Assembly.</p>.<p>"Chief Minister Sawant is a puppet defending every decision of the Centre on Mahadayi. It looks like he was part of the Centre's game-plan to divert Mahadayi water," Khaunte, MLA from Porvorim, claimed.</p>.<p>He said Sawant should either step down or join those who are opposing the Centre's nod to Karnataka on the Kalsa Bhanduri project. </p>
<p>Independent MLA and former Goa minister Rohan Khaunte on Saturday accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of being a "puppet of the Centre" and failing to protect the interests of the state in the Mahadayi water dispute with neighbouring Karnataka.</p>.<p>Khaunte hit out at Sawant against the backdrop of a letter written by the Union environment ministry on December 24 to Karnataka stating that environment clearance was not required for the Kalsa Bhanduri project on Mahadayi.</p>.<p>Goa and Karnataka are embroiled in a dispute on sharing of Mahadayi river water, and the former has been opposing the latter's Kalsa Bhanduri project.</p>.<p>Khaunte was a minister under Sawant but was sacked in July this year after ten Congress MLAs joined the BJP and gave the saffron party a majority in the 40-member Assembly.</p>.<p>"Chief Minister Sawant is a puppet defending every decision of the Centre on Mahadayi. It looks like he was part of the Centre's game-plan to divert Mahadayi water," Khaunte, MLA from Porvorim, claimed.</p>.<p>He said Sawant should either step down or join those who are opposing the Centre's nod to Karnataka on the Kalsa Bhanduri project. </p>