Karnataka may have achieved some sort of breakthrough when Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar decided in-principle not to oppose Karnataka's demand for reasonable and justified quantum of drinking water from River Mhadei. However, the water-sharing nod has triggered an intense debate in the State with questions being raised over the intentions of BJP after chief minister made a sudden dash to the capital on party president Amit Shah's call.
The political masterstroke by ‘good samaritan' Shah stood exposed as BS Yeddyurappa openly announced in Karnataka that the Mhadei water tangle has been resolved and an announcement would follow soon, while back home Parrikar guilefully stated that he was just a silent listener to talks in Delhi and no assurances were given.
It's an open secret that the BJP is pulling all strings to gain control over Congress-ruled Karnataka, which is going to polls next year. And when an announcement is made that bilateral talks will happen, the politics behind the move is as clear as daylight. The BJP has not only cleverly by-passed the ruling Congress in Karnataka to make this their issue, but is also looking ahead to garner maximum possible election mileage.
The in-principle okay is contrary to the hardline stand that Goa took that there will be no compromise on sharing Mhadei waters. Parrikar, who spearheaded Goa's fight against water-sharing should take the key players to the discussion table, including the several environmentalists, and the main opposition Congress who has been shouting over rooftops now, despite the fact that they had conceded to Karnataka way back in 2007.
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai has a point that water should be restricted to drinking and should not exceed the set limit. But Vijai has chosen an easy way out. The TCP minister, who now sings Goem, Goenkarponn was the most vocal against sharing the waters saying that interests of the State were non-negotiable. His threat to surrender the WRD portfolio only reflects political immaturity. As a leader he should have shown more involvement along with Vinod Paliencar, instead of holding out a hollow threat. Vijai has spoken his mind, albeit to save his face, but another key ally Sudin Dhavalikar has preferred to remain mum on this key issue.
Parrikar may face a lot of flak for giving a green signal for drinking water and while he gears up for a bilateral talks with Karnataka on humanitarian grounds, the finer details on the quantum on water and the checks and balances to regulate water only for drinking and not irrigation will be keenly watched.
The political masterstroke by ‘good samaritan' Shah stood exposed as BS Yeddyurappa openly announced in Karnataka that the Mhadei water tangle has been resolved and an announcement would follow soon, while back home Parrikar guilefully stated that he was just a silent listener to talks in Delhi and no assurances were given.
It's an open secret that the BJP is pulling all strings to gain control over Congress-ruled Karnataka, which is going to polls next year. And when an announcement is made that bilateral talks will happen, the politics behind the move is as clear as daylight. The BJP has not only cleverly by-passed the ruling Congress in Karnataka to make this their issue, but is also looking ahead to garner maximum possible election mileage.
The in-principle okay is contrary to the hardline stand that Goa took that there will be no compromise on sharing Mhadei waters. Parrikar, who spearheaded Goa's fight against water-sharing should take the key players to the discussion table, including the several environmentalists, and the main opposition Congress who has been shouting over rooftops now, despite the fact that they had conceded to Karnataka way back in 2007.
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai has a point that water should be restricted to drinking and should not exceed the set limit. But Vijai has chosen an easy way out. The TCP minister, who now sings Goem, Goenkarponn was the most vocal against sharing the waters saying that interests of the State were non-negotiable. His threat to surrender the WRD portfolio only reflects political immaturity. As a leader he should have shown more involvement along with Vinod Paliencar, instead of holding out a hollow threat. Vijai has spoken his mind, albeit to save his face, but another key ally Sudin Dhavalikar has preferred to remain mum on this key issue.
Parrikar may face a lot of flak for giving a green signal for drinking water and while he gears up for a bilateral talks with Karnataka on humanitarian grounds, the finer details on the quantum on water and the checks and balances to regulate water only for drinking and not irrigation will be keenly watched.
