PANAJI
Addressing concerns regarding Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's campaigning in Karnataka amid the ongoing Mhadei water dispute between the two states, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa Unit has assured the issue will not be compromised.
“Our campaigning in Karnataka does not in any way compromise the Mhadei water dispute. The party is fully committed to protecting the interests of Goa,” party president Sadanand Shet Tanavade told reporters in response to criticism drawn from various quarters over CM’s campaign for the ruling BJP for upcoming assembly polls in Karnataka.
Tanavade was replying to media queries, after the core committee meeting, regarding apprehensions raised by several activists and opposition leaders that BJP leaders were compromising on the issue even as a legal battle is pending before the court and Tribunal.
BJP leaders and CM Sawant in particular were slammed for the campaigning, as it came at a time when Goa is grappling with the long-standing inter-state water dispute; and Karnataka had once again attempted to allegedly illegally divert Mhadei to its territory.
Tanavade highlighted that campaigning in other states is a common practice during elections, and it does not detract from the party’s commitment to addressing pressing issues faced by Goa, including the Mhadei dispute.
“BJP is a national party and BJP leaders from Karnataka campaigned in Goa during our assembly elections. We are also working to reach out to Karnataka voters in Goa,” he added.
