Bengaluru, 13 Sept

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called on the BJP to speak for Karnataka in regards to the river disputes between Karnataka and its neighbours – namely Maharashtra, Goa and Tamil Nadu. He said it was “our water, our right.”

“BJP MPs should speak up or resign,” he said in a statement after inspecting the progress of the Hemavathi Link Canal in Tumakuru on Saturday. “BJP MPs should speak out in favour of Karnataka, including Mekedatu, Kalasa Banduri, Bhadra Upper Bank grant, and permission to increase the height of Almatti. Otherwise, they should resign and face re-election.”

He said he had met Central ministers over the projects several times.

“BJP MPs have not met the Prime Minister or the Union Minister for Jal Shakti even once. Ministers Prahlad Joshi and Somanna, except for those who said they had spoken, are just a bunch of neem leaves,” he said.

The Bhadra Dam is a lifeline for five districts, he added.

On the Alamati issue, he said "Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that he will not allow the elevation of Almatti to be raised to 524 meters. All I can tell him is, you are not a judge, it is our water and our right. You cannot stop the gazette notification.”

Similarly, Siddaramaiah in Mysuru also hit back at Fadnavis. He noted the tribunal had permitted the dam height to be raised from 519 metres to 524 metres way back in 2010.

“It has been 15 years now, and this objection is being raised for political reasons,” he alleged.

On Goa’s opposition to the Mahadayi project and Tamil Nadu’s stand against Mekedatu, Siddaramaiah said, “The Prime Minister should give clear directions to BJP Chief Ministers.”