Vatal Nagaraj, leader of the Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha, has urged the State government to lay the foundation stone for the Mekedatu dam project at the earliest. “Chief Minster Siddaramaiah has repeatedly said that his government is committed to the implementation of Mekedatu dam project. If it is so, then he should get the work started immediately,” Mr. Nagaraj said at a press conference here on Friday.
Meanwhile, the pro-Kannada organisations have jointly called for a State-wide bandh on April 18 in protest against the opposition to the project by Tamil Nadu government. The project is meant for generating power and meets the drinking water needs of the people.
“In Tamil Nadu, all political parties joined together to oppose the project. They exhibited integrity and solidarity in their protest. They should not have opposed the drinking water project. Now, we should display our strength and support to the scheme,” he said.
Except essential services like distribution of milk and medical services, all other activities would remain closed between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on April 18.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has declared a holiday for all its activities on that day, extending support to the bandh. More than 500 pro-Kannada organisations across the State have offered to support the bandh call.
“The protesters will take out a rally from the Town Hall to the Freedom Park in Bengaluru and submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister, requesting him to launch the project at the earliest,” Mr. Nagaraj said.
To a question on the recent demand of elected representatives from north Karnataka to create a separate State, Mr. Nagaraj said nobody could succeed in their attempts at dividing the State. “We will also join hands with them in seeking development projects for north Karnataka,” he said.
Government urged to lay the foundation stone for Mekedatu dam construction at the earliest
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to support bandh by stopping all its activities on the day
