Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that he was confident of the success of the meeting on Mahadayi river water scheduled for October 21 in Mumbai.
Speaking with media persons after releasing the special issue of Vartha Bharathi on the occasion of its 14th anniversary at Krishna in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Mahadayi Water Tribunal had advised the three states to resolve the water dispute through negotiations. “I contacted Chief Minister of Goa and Maharashtra over the phone to arrange a meeting for this purpose. I had made it clear that I am ready to attend the meeting irrespective of who organizes it (Maharashtra or Goa). Now, Maharashtra Chief Minister has come forward to organize the meeting. I have convened an all-party meeting on October 19 to get suggestions and opinion from all political parties,” Siddaramaiah said.
When asked about Goa Congress leader’s statement that Goa would not release a drop of Mahadayi river water to Karnataka, the chief minister said that he decided to attend the meeting as per the advice of Mahadayi Water Tribunal. “The chief ministers of Goa and Maharashtra will attend the meeting after availing the suggestions and opinions of all political parties of the respective states. Therefore, we need not give too much importance to the statement of a particular leader. It will be the first meeting. We want to have a comprehensive discussion on all issues during the meeting,’’ the chief minister said.
On the issue of state BJP leaders meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister said Mahadayi water dispute is between Karnataka and Goa and it would be better to discuss with the chief minister of Goa. “I am of the opinion that there is no need for any controversy at this stage. I want the proposed meeting successful,’’ he said.
He said the hearing of the special leave petition (SLP) on Cauvery is scheduled for October 18 in the Supreme Court. “Legal experts and officials of water resources department are busy in preparing the necessary documents,’’ he said.
He has assured to look into the objections and suggestions from the public on the proposed steel flyover between Basaveshwara Circle and Hebbal.
