BJP committed to ensure Mahadayi water to North Karnataka region: B S Yeddyurappa

Hubballi: Even as a political slugfest erupted between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP over Goa CM Manohar Parrikar’s letter expressing willingness to release Mahadayi water to Karnataka, BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa said the BJP is committed to ensure supply of Mahadayi water to cater to drinking water needs of the state.

The former CM claimed that some elements will try to create confusion about the in-principle approval given by the Goa Chief Minister for release of water. Addressing the Parivarthana rally here on Thursday, he appealed to farmers not to pay heed to such attempts to confuse them.

Maintaining that the BJP has always given top priority to the irrigation sector, Yeddyurappa promised that the party will earmark Rs 1 lakh crore for completion of irrigation projects apart from filling lakes to help farmers suffering from recurring droughts. He also claimed that he had to fight for the last three months for a discussion on the Mahadayi row with the BJP top brass and this had finally yielded a positive result with the Goa CM giving his approval.

Lambasting the state government, Yeddyurappa said Congress leaders had recommended formation of the Mahadayi tribunal against the interest of state farmers. Accusing the Congress of delaying the implementation of Kalasa Banduri project, he said former AICC president Sonia Gandhi had derived political mileage from the issue by assuring Goans during the Assembly polls in that state that she will not allow Karnataka to use Mahadayi water.

“Farmers need not worry about the Mahadayi row as the BJP will take the responsibility of supplying water for drinking purposes. We had laid the foundation stone for the Kalasa Banduri project and earmarked funds when a BJP-JD(S) coalition government was in power in the state. But, the Congress government has built a wall across Kalasa Nala to stop water from flowing”, Yeddyurappa asserted.