A combined 10-member opposition failed to find favour with the Speaker on their adjournment motion on Mhadei water diversion during the one-day session of the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. But it succeeded in sending across a message loud and clear. The adjournment motion is a victory of sorts for this resurgent opposition group because of the effort to address this issue within the hallowed precincts of the Assembly.
The argument that this is not an urgent matter or a recent occurrence that necessitates such a discussion pales against the background of Mhadei being considered as Goa’s lifeline. Politicos, including those in the government, have gone chest-beating against Karnataka’s move to divert water. The issue continues to reverberate across the State. So how does it appear to be not an urgent matter?
Mhadei remains a crucial State issue, and political leaders cannot isolate it on the pretext of it coming under the jurisdiction of MoEF. The argument that it could wait for discussion in the ensuing Assembly scheduled to begin early February is not justified because of its critical nature. A complete lack of clarity and a series of flip-flops by Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar have given Goa even more reasons to pursue this matter on a war footing.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has gone on record admitting that Karnataka has already diverted Mhadei water for irrigation purposes. So what stops the government from exhausting all its options? If Goa has to show unity, the government has to accommodate all opposition, irrespective of party affiliations. Meekly conceding to the diktats of the Centre is not helping Goa’s case because there are significant political interests at play.
By refusing a discussion, the government is making it evident that it doesn’t want to concede the advantage. So far, Goa is banking on hope and trust on the Delhi leadership. It would be prudent if the government had to choose the middle ground and engage everyone. Special assembly sessions have been summoned previously to discuss various issues, including Special Status. There was even a session held to fulfil a constitutional requirement in 2017. So why is a discussion on Mhadei refused on the floor of the House?
The adjournment motion may have failed to see the light of the day, but it has certainly brought together an opposition which was entirely in disarray. The Congress and Goa Forward Party have always been at war, ever since the BJP formed a coalition government in 2017 leaving the grand old party in the lurch. Going ahead, a combination which also comprises MGP’s Sudin Dhavalikar and Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte, could give the government some anxious moments.
The State is grappling with several issues, including a major fiscal crisis, and it remains to be seen if this combined opposition will carry the fight against the government beyond Mhadei when the House reconvenes in February.
