Manohar Parrikar U-turn on Mahadayi water makes Cong nervous

Bengaluru: The BJP’s success in persuading Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar to release Mahadayi river water to Karnataka has left the state’s ruling Congress jittery as every brownie point earned by either party now counts with just a few months to go for the Assembly poll.

Following his talks in Delhi with BJP leaders in the presence of  their national party president, Amit Shah, Mr. Parrikar has in a letter to state BJP chief, B.S. Yeddyurappa agreed to share Mahadayi water with North Karnataka to quench its people’s thirst in the drought-prone areas.

The letter says, “You are aware of the matter pending before Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal. Although the issue of is  pending before the tribunal, in principle the state of Goa will not oppose a reasonable and justified quantum of water meant to be utilised for drinking water. However the same needs to be discussed bilaterally as suggested by the tribunal. Goa government understands that access to drinking water is a basic human need...”

Hence this is to confirm  to you that on humanitarian grounds, the government of Goa is willing to consider the request to work out an amicable settlement strictly restricted to drinking water supply  to the drought prone areas. It is needless to mention that the discussion shall be without prejudice to our rights and contentions before the tribunal, none of which are even touched by this letter. I appreciate your concern… and will extend the best possible co-operation in the matter.”