BENGALURU: The state BJP leadership is all set to woo Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar over sharing of Mahadayi waters. They will approach him by this month-end to convince him to agree for talks on the dispute.
Addressing a press conference after an all-party meeting to discuss the Mahadayi and Cauvery water issue on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the BJP leaders have decided to approach the Goa CM after the voting for the two bypolls in that state ends on August 28.
“In September 2016, the (Mahadayi Water Disputes) Tribunal had suggested an out-of-court settlement with or without third party mediation. I had written to the Goa and Maharashtra CMs after that. While the Maharashtra Chief Minister offered to hold talks in Maharashtra and invited us, the Goa Chief Minister has not responded,” the CM clarified.
Earlier this month, the Goa Chief Secretary wrote to his Karnataka counterpart stating that since the model code of conduct was in place due to the Assembly bypolls in his state, they could not hold any meeting till August 28. “All senior BJP leaders have assured us that they will talk to Parrikar after that and convince him to attend the talks,” Siddaramaiah said.
He also said BJP Leader of the Opposition in the Council K S Eshwarappa had suggested that state Congress leaders too talk to their counterparts in Goa. “It is not the protocol to do so, but we can do that and whatever decision we take will depend on what happens after the meeting.”