Even as the agitation demanding completion of the Kalasa–Banduri Nala as part of the Mahadayi project is getting intensified in Bombay–Karnataka region, political parties are engaging in blame game.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday accused the ruling Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) of “misinterpreting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the all-party delegation from Karnataka”. The BJP charged the two parties with “carrying out misinformation campaign and instigating violence”.
BJP State unit president Pralhad Joshi said, “The Prime Minister, after offering a patient hearing, asked the delegation to convince Opposition leaders of Goa and Maharashtra and bring them to the negotiation table, and promised to convince the Chief Ministers of both the States. Mr. Modi clarified that finding solution to the problem is important, not intervention.” However, agitation had intensified after the Chief Minister gave an impression that the talks had failed and Mr. Modi had refused to intervene, Mr. Joshi said, and charged Siddaramaiah of “politicising the issue”.
The tribunal was set up when Congress-led UPA government was in power and it was the Congress Chief Ministers of Goa and Maharashtra who opposed the implementation of the project, he alleged.
JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy did not attend the function when the foundation stone was laid for the Kalasa–Banduri Nala project when he was the Chief Minister. He did not even attend the all-party meeting convened by the Chief Minister on the issue, he added.
Congress and JD(S) are carrying out misinformation campaign and instigating violence.
Pralhad Joshi,BJP State unit president
