Not Fadnavis, Modi should have convened CMs' meet: Mallikarjun Kharge

KALABURAGI: Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has taken exception to the initiative taken by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to organise a meeting of three riparian states to find an amicable solution to the vexed Mahadayi river water dispute.

During an interaction with mediapersons here, Mr Kharge felt that instead of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take the initiative to hold talks with the three states-Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, to resolve the dispute. “As Mr Fadnavis is the chief minister of Maharashtra, it is not appropriate for him to take the initaitve to hold talks with his peers, the chief ministers of Karnataka and Goa. Instead it would be more appropriate if the Prime Minister convenes the meeting”, Mr Kharge opined.

Referring to the initative taken by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to find a solution to the Telugu Ganga project, Mr Kharge observed: “In this case, the Prime Minister should intervene and urge the Goa and Maharashtra Chief Ministers to concede Karnataka’s request for sanctioning seven TMC of water for drinking purposes. He should also convince them that the final verdict of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal is binding on all states. My appeal is that nobody should try to politicise the issue”.

The Congress leader was also took exception to the BJP leaders taking credit for the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army after the uri atacks.

“The BJP leaders, especially  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking the credit for the operation which was carried out by soldiers. It’s an insult to the soldiers who carried it out, he said.

When his attention was drawn to the reported decision of former Minister V Srinivas Prasad to resign from the assembly as well as party, Mr Kharge declined to comment observing it was “his personal decision”.