BELAGAVI
At a meeting of the farmers and activists attended by Minister in-charge of the district Vinay Kulkarni and others here on Wednesday, the farmers said after a gap of almost 40 years, the chief ministers of all the three riparian states are coming under one platform to discuss the all important water project of north Karnataka.
They said the state government should not allow this opportunity go waste and should ensure that the dialogue will be effective and fulfil the demand of the farmers of four districts.
The October 21 meeting in Mumbai is most important keeping in view the linking of Mhadei with Malaprabha which can irrigate lakhs of hectare of land in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag and Bagalkot districts, besides over the drinking water woes in twin cities.
CM Siddaramaiah has already called for an all-party meeting on October 19 and political leaders from Malaprabha Command Area should go to the meeting with the demands of the stakeholders, they said.
It was decided to hold another meeting of the agitating farmers of the Mhadei riparian districts in this connection in Dharwad or Hubballi on October 15.
Navalgund MLA NH Konraddi said like Cauvery issue that brought all political parties in the state on one platform, similar commitment should be shown towards Mhadei dispute.
Meanwhile, the BJP leaders had to bear the brunt of the agitating farmers. The farmers vented their ire on BJP leaders for not attending the meeting.
Though, this issue has come to a logical end, the BJP leaders are escaping from discharging their duties, the farmers alleged and warned the BJP leaders not to remain absent for the October 15 meeting as there are chances that the state may face a setback due to the lack of political will.
