From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 30: Karnataka’s water resources minister M B Patil has strongly condemned Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s rejection of the State Government’s appeal for finding an amicable solution to the long pending issue of sharing of Mahadayi waters through negotiations.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday, Patil said: "The stand of the Goa chief minister, Parsekar is unfortunate and totally devoid of any humanitarian consideration for the interests of the people of the state."
Maintaining that the stand taken by the Goa chief minister, had demonstrated that the State BJP leaders, including Prahlad Joshi, Jagadish Shettar and even B S Yeddyurappa, had done nothing to convince their leaders in Goa for an out-of-the-court settlement on the issue to mitigate the severe drinking water being faced by over four districts in Northern Karnataka.
"Had the State BJP leaders made any sincere efforts to convince their leaders in Goa, the chief minister would not have written such a blunt letter to Karnataka Government," Patil said.
The minister said the State BJP leaders were shedding crocodile tears on the commitment to serve the people of Northern Karnataka, who are facing severe drinking water crisis.
Replying to questions, Patil said: "We are committed to safeguard the interests of the people of Karnataka and will continue to bring pressure on the Centre as well as the Goa government."
"If need be, one more delegation under the leadership of Chief Minister would be taken to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue," he said.
The minister said Modi should prevail upon the ruling BJP leaders in Goa to be magnanimous in helping the people of North Karnataka.
It may be recalled that Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, in a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah On January 19 had categorically rejected Karnataka's demand for an out-of-the-court settlement on the Mahadayi issue.
The Goa chief minister, in his letter, had also rejected the State Government's desire to meet him personally for holding bilateral discussion on the Mahadayi issue.
"Let us hope better sense prevails and the State BJP leaders as well as their counterparts in Goa heed the genuine needs of the people of North Karnataka," he added.