HINDUPUR: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and BJP strongman L.K. Advani has said that the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre had created a messy situation in relations with States by trying to block the construction of the Narmada dam up to the height permitted by the Supreme Court.

He had spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over telephone on Saturday night and expressed disapproval of the `politically-motivated' move of the Centre on the issue, Mr. Advani told a press conference here on Sunday. He termed the `stalemate created by the Centre' as unprecedented in the history of free India.

"It is a sad day for our democracy as Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was forced to go on a hunger strike to quench the thirst of his people and in defence of raising the height of the Narmada dam already permitted by the apex court," he said.

`Lifeline of Gujarat'

Mr. Advani said that he had seen happy faces along the route of the Bharat Suraksha Yatra in Saurashtra, where the villages were water-starved previously. Terming Narmada as the lifeline of Gujarat, he said the reason behind the smiles was the water they were getting from the dam. But, there were about 4,000 more villages in Gujarat and Rajasthan eagerly waiting for their turn to get Narmada water. Farmers of the areas were also waiting to wet their parched lands with the dam water. However, their dreams would be fulfilled, only if the height of the dam was raised.

Kolkata Special Correspondent reports:

Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh on Sunday reiterated the party's opposition to stalling of construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam, but said it was not against the resettlement of families displaced by the project.

Mr. Singh is in Kolkata to campaign for the BJP candidates for the Assembly elections.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail