Bengaluru: Lambasting BJP leaders for indulging in petty politics, State Janata Dal (Secular) President H.D. Kumaraswamy said that he is ready for a open debate on the crucial Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday HDK lambasted BJP leaders for accusing him and his father as ‘anti-north Karnataka’. He challenged BJP leaders of the state to put pressure on PM Modi to get an interim order on releasing 7.5 tmcft of water from River Mahadayi to parched areas of north Karnataka region.
“I had earmarked Rs 100 crore for the execution of the water project to provide water to several villages in Dharwad and Gadag districts. I also sent the then-ministers Mr Basavaraj Horatti and Mr Hanumanthappa Alkod for the foundation-laying function as he could not attend due to prior engagements.”
“BJP leaders accusation that I had opposed the scheme is false. The then-deputy chief minister and finance minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa did not show much interest in this project. Even other leaders like Mr Jagadish Shettar and Mr K.S. Eshwarappa, wanted to give clearance to this project just for publicity. I never uttered a single word against the Kalasa-Banduri project during my padayatra from Hubballi to Belagavi recently since it was aimed at overall development of north Karnataka region.”, HDK accused.
JD(S) always wished for the development of N-K region and never opposed any project pertaining to that region. The BJP’s Chaitanya yatra, was politically motivated and not intended to instill confidence among distressed farmers, he added.
A meeting of JD(S) leaders had been convened on Monday to discuss the future course of action regarding the Kalasa Banduri project, he informed.
