Siddaramaiah to Goa CM Manohar Parikkar: Let's meet on Mahadayi

Mr Siddaramaiah to find a solution to the dispute and assured support for such efforts.

Update: 2017-07-12 22:56 GMT
CM Siddaramaiah at a Janata Darshan at Krishna, his home office in the city

Hubballi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday wrote to his Goan counterpart Manohar Parikkar on the need for an amicable settlement of the dispute over sharing water of the river Mahadayi even as farmers are contemplating a rally on July 16 to mark completion of two years of the agitation in support of Kalasa Banduri project.

In his letter to Mr Parrikar, Mr Siddaramaiah sought a tentative date for a joint meeting along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Chief Minister's move came in response to a letter from Mr Fadnavis on July 7 seeking a cordial atmosphere to resolve the dispute. Mr Fadnavis lauded efforts of Mr Siddaramaiah to find a solution to the dispute and assured support for such efforts. 

In November 2016, Mr Fadnavis had taken the initiative to commence a dialogue between Chief Ministers of three states to evolve a water-sharing formula in the wake of a suggestion by the tribunal that these states resolve the dispute through negotiations. The initiative however ran into rough weather when the meeting was postponed by then Chief Minister of Goa Laxmikant Parsekar. Some state BJP leaders attributed the move to Assembly elections in Goa as the party as the reason for cancellation of the meeting. 

Meanwhile, farmers' leaders who sought quick action on a solution to the dispute, plan to organize a mega rally on July 16. The prospect of a drought for third consecutive year has prompted them to plan the convention in Nargund on that day to chalk out a strategy on how to intensify the agitation. Almost a year after violent agitation in Navalgund, they have resolved to unite all farmers organizations to step up pressure on the government and all elected representatives in the region. "Leader of both Congress and BJP are merely making hollow promises to resolve the water dispute with an eye on Assembly elections. They have also misled farmers by holding all party meetings just for the heck of it. Therefore, they have to visit Goa to convince their party leaders in that state in this direction as merely writing a letter will prolong the issue. We will arrive at proper decision to intensify the movement during the convention as it is question of do or die for us as we are facing recurring drought", said farmers leader Veeresh Sorabadmath.

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