BJP candidate from Dharwad Lok Sabha Constituency Pralhad Joshi, who is seeking a fourth term, has said that there is more politics than water in the Mahadayi river water sharing row.
Speaking at a “Meet The Press” programme organised by the Dharwad District Union of Working Journalists here on Friday, Mr. Joshi said that much had been said on the Mahadayi issue and now the talk was about getting a gazette notification on the verdict of Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal. “Both Goa and Karnataka governments have filed appeals and clarification applications on the verdict. And, if those in the State government provide information on any provision under which the Centre could issue gazette notification during pendency of appeals and clarifications, we will make efforts to get it issued,” he said.
Giving a list of his achievements as a Member of Parliament, Mr. Joshi said that under the Modi government, Dharwad had got Indian Institute of Technology, regional office of Khadi and Village Industries Corporation and others. From Smart City to City Gas, the constituency had benefited a great deal under the Modi government, he said.
‘Based on performance’
“Although I would not say I have resolved every issue, I have the satisfaction of addressing several issues and contributing to the development of his constituency. And, I am seeking re-election based on my performance,” he said. Responding to the allegation that he was seeking votes in the name of Mr. Modi, Mr. Joshi said: “Since we don’t have Presidential type of elections where people directly vote for the President, the people have to elect MPs who support an able and strong leader like Prime Minister [Narendra Modi]. As I seek votes for my performance, I also seek votes for Mr. Modi,” he said. Mr. Joshi said that the under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, he had got 42 classrooms built, hundreds of smart boards provided to government schools, over 15,000 desks provided to schools and 564 hitech toilets had been built.
On his plans for the next five years, he said that there was a plan to get rural roads developed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna on a 75:25 (Centre:State) cost-sharing ratio, micro irrigation schemes, development of bypass roads for Hubballi-Dharwad and others.
On the allegation that he was behind snubbing Lingayat leaders in the BJP, he said that the people of the constituency would respond to such allegations. Mr. Joshi blamed the State government for failing to execute the Smart City project properly and said that even in the case of 24 x 7 water supply project, the State had rescinded the tender without any reason. In the Hubballi-Ankola railway line project too, lethargy of the State government resulted in a new hurdle for the project, he said. DDUWJ president Ganapathi Gangolli was present.
