The State government has swung into action and has announced that it will demand immediate withdrawal of the clearance given to the Detailed Project Report on the Mhadei projects at Kalasa and Bhandura. BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade said that the party would convey to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet that approval of DPR is against the interest of Goa. In Salcete, the BJP has called upon Panchayats and Municipalities to adopt resolutions seeking the withdrawal of DPRs.
The irony is that the urgency and seriousness come against the Centre rejecting the State Chief Minister's request not to approve the DPRs. In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in March 2020, Sawant put Goa's objections to Karnataka's proposal on record while highlighting its impact on Goa and the case in Supreme Court. However, Sawant's request appears to have been summarily rejected to the extent that the Centre did not even engage Goa or consider the implications put forth by the CM before arriving at a decision.
The idea of approaching the Centre with a fresh proposal to reconsider its decision is hollow and misleading. It is a deceptive attempt to give the impression that the State government has done its level best. Moreover, while the general discourse is veering towards a "double engine" government failure, the State government is not finding the bravado to showcase the attempt of the CM because it will advertently expose the Centre's leaning towards Karnataka and could backfire.
Cut into Karnataka, the level of confidence is at its peak. The Water Resources Minister, Govind Karjol has categorically stated that the government will start work in a month and complete the project in less than one year. "If that does not happen, I will not call myself Govind Karjol. I will change my name," he thundered. A few days earlier, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai, also spoke of initiating the project soon. The Congress has raised its election pitch in Karnataka, making tall promises on Mhadei.
In Goa, it is a picture of complete contrast with the Opposition that was breathing fire over 'lifelines' meekly walking out of a meeting called by the chief minister to discuss the issue. The Opposition members have reasoned out that they don't want to be "partners in crime". This is ridiculous because the meeting was an ideal platform to expose failures and question the leadership on all counts. There is no point in crying hoarse in the background if the agenda is only about targeting the chief minister and gunning for his resignation. The interests of the State stand much higher, and in the interest of the people of Goa, elected representatives cannot shy away from an opportunity to raise questions, no matter the outcome. It appears that a section of leaders who are giving an outward impression of being seized with the issue are viewing the Mhadei issue through a purely political prism.
While the Goa government pins hope on the forest clearances that Karnataka will need before proceeding with the project, it has to approach the Centre seeking clarity. Let's get real, moving the Centre with requests, appeals and resolutions is an exercise in futility keeping in mind the rejection of the past and the political weightage that Karnataka enjoys. The State government has to re-evaluate the options at hand.
