Bengaluru: Kannada Chaluvali leader Vatal Nagaraj, backed by various Kannada organisations and farmers’ unions has called for a statewide bandh on January 27, a day prior to the prime minister’s scheduled visit to the state, demanding a permanent solution to Mahadayi water dispute.
Addressing a press conference here on January 10, Vatal said, “The 12-hour bandh starting at 6 AM on January 27 is to compel the riparian states to facilitate the implementation of the long pending Kalasa–Bhanduri project”, and sought support from like-minded organisations.
The bandh call will be withdrawn if PM assures of a permanent solution prior to his scheduled visit to the state on January 27, Vatal clarified. He warned of massive protests across the state in case of negative response.
It may be noted that former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had assured farmers of holding talks with Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and BJP National President Amit Shah to resolve the Mahadayi water sharing dispute before December 15 following which they had withdrawn protests.
Subsequently, emotions heightened with the farmers accusing the Karnataka BJP of backtracking on its assurance and planned protests in coordination with pro-Kannada organisations and film industry. The proposed bandh on January 27 is in continuation of that process to exert pressure on the major stake holders to resolve the long pending water dispute.
