KISHOR NAIK GAONKAR
PANAJI
Denying having received any letter from Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in connection with recent developments on the Mhadei water issue, CM Manohar Parrikar pledged that his government would never compromise on the Mhadei issue.
"Whatever stand we take will be in the best interest of our State and people should not fall prey to misguided statements from the opposition," said Parrikar.
Speaking to The Goan amid reports that Siddaramaiah had written to Parrikar on Friday with a request to convene a meeting at the earliest, Parrikar denied having received any letter from his Karnataka counterpart.
"Why should he write to me, as I have not written any letter to him," countered Parrikar.
Speaking further, the CM said, "Before writing a letter to me, he should first confirm the stand of their party in Goa and the statements they have made in this connection."
"If he has sent any letter, he will get an answer (from his party) to his own letter," Parrikar added.
He also denied any pressure being exerted from his party high command on the Mhadei water issue.
"The meeting convened in Delhi was to discuss how we could amicably resolve the issue. The Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa had put up a written proposal before me and I have replied to him."
"My letter (to him) does not give any assurance nor guarantee to release Mhadei water to Karnataka. We have only agreed to have a meeting and discuss the issue. If at all the Goa government is ready to release water for drinking purpose, it will be as per reasonable need," Parrikar told The Goan.
Slamming the Congress party for targetting the BJP on the Mhadei issue, Parrikar said: "The Congress had earlier given written assurances in 2007 and 2009 to release 7.5 TMC of water to Karnataka. What moral right do they have to talk on this issue now?"
"They are lying to the people. It is I who had withdrawn this letter and had rigorously taken up the issue at the central level. The formation of the tribunal itself was a victory to all our efforts and we have put forth a strong case before the tribunal. The Congress has never taken up the Mhadei issue seriously at the central level at any point of time," said Parrikar.
"It is just like the issue of national waterways. The Congress was making allegations that the BJP had given permission to Adani for coal handling activity. When I disclosed the facts that Congress themselves have permitted coal handling, they were exposed."
"The BJP government will never compromise on the Mhadei issue. Whatever stand we take will be in the best interest of our state and people should not fall prey to misguided statements from the opposition," Parrikar told The Goan.
PANAJI
Denying having received any letter from Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in connection with recent developments on the Mhadei water issue, CM Manohar Parrikar pledged that his government would never compromise on the Mhadei issue.
"Whatever stand we take will be in the best interest of our State and people should not fall prey to misguided statements from the opposition," said Parrikar.
Speaking to The Goan amid reports that Siddaramaiah had written to Parrikar on Friday with a request to convene a meeting at the earliest, Parrikar denied having received any letter from his Karnataka counterpart.
"Why should he write to me, as I have not written any letter to him," countered Parrikar.
Speaking further, the CM said, "Before writing a letter to me, he should first confirm the stand of their party in Goa and the statements they have made in this connection."
"If he has sent any letter, he will get an answer (from his party) to his own letter," Parrikar added.
He also denied any pressure being exerted from his party high command on the Mhadei water issue.
"The meeting convened in Delhi was to discuss how we could amicably resolve the issue. The Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa had put up a written proposal before me and I have replied to him."
"My letter (to him) does not give any assurance nor guarantee to release Mhadei water to Karnataka. We have only agreed to have a meeting and discuss the issue. If at all the Goa government is ready to release water for drinking purpose, it will be as per reasonable need," Parrikar told The Goan.
Slamming the Congress party for targetting the BJP on the Mhadei issue, Parrikar said: "The Congress had earlier given written assurances in 2007 and 2009 to release 7.5 TMC of water to Karnataka. What moral right do they have to talk on this issue now?"
"They are lying to the people. It is I who had withdrawn this letter and had rigorously taken up the issue at the central level. The formation of the tribunal itself was a victory to all our efforts and we have put forth a strong case before the tribunal. The Congress has never taken up the Mhadei issue seriously at the central level at any point of time," said Parrikar.
"It is just like the issue of national waterways. The Congress was making allegations that the BJP had given permission to Adani for coal handling activity. When I disclosed the facts that Congress themselves have permitted coal handling, they were exposed."
"The BJP government will never compromise on the Mhadei issue. Whatever stand we take will be in the best interest of our state and people should not fall prey to misguided statements from the opposition," Parrikar told The Goan.
