From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 6: Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s offer to mediate between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments over the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project has resulted in KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar and State Janata Dal (S) President and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy attacking the State Government even as Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the government sought Central approval for the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

“It is shameful that Shekhawat declared in the presence of the Chief Minister that the Centre cannot do anything and at best mediate between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on Mekedatu," Shivakumar said and questioned Bommai’s silence when the statement was made.

Centre abdicates responsibility

The KPCC Chief, who spoke to reporters in Kanakapura on Sunday, March 6, asked Bommai as to how the Union Minister can say in his presence that the two States should discuss and sort out the issue through mutual dialogue and contended that the Chief Minister’s silence indicated his acceptance.

"This is abdication of responsibility," he said.

BJP, Cong fooling people

Speaking to media representatives in Kalaburgi as well as in his tweets, former Chief Minister and State JD(S) President Kumaraswamy said Shekhawat’s statement in the presence of Bommai implies that the Centre holds that Mekedatu drinking water project is an inter-State dispute and that it should be resolved by the two governments through mutual dialogue.

"Shekhawat’s statement indicates that the Centre has forgotten its responsibility of giving its approval for the Mekedatu drinking water project as it is the duty of the Centre in a federal structure," Kumaraswamy said.

"The State government as well as the Centre are fooling the people of Karnataka," the JD(S) leader while lashing out at the Congress party for claiming credit for the Chief Minister allocating Rs 1000 crore for the Mekedatu project because of its padayatra.

"Thus, both the national parties of BJP and Congress are taking the people for a ride," he charged and pointed out that he had mentioned right at the beginning that the project is languishing with Central Water Commission and it must be revived only by mounting pressure on the Centre and not through padayatra.

The KPCC Chief said the Centre cannot shirk its responsibility of approving the drinking water project and said the Union Minister should specify when the Environment Ministry is granting its approval.

CM to convene all-party meet

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Hubballi, the Chief Minister made it clear that the State Government has already asked the Centre to grant its approval for the DPR of Mekedatu project.

Asked whether the Centre is mediating on the project, Bommai said the government has already impressed upon the Union Minister on the urgency and importance of the project.

The Chief Minister also promised to convene an all-party meeting on the issue and go to Delhi to discuss on Mekedatu, Krishna and other major irrigation projects during the budget session of the parliament.