Congress state president DK Shivakumar and senior leader Siddaramaiah led the march.
Ramnagar (Cuttack):
The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday began its 10-day ‘padayatra’ (March), demanding the implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river despite the government’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Led by Congress state president DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah, the padyatra with the theme ‘Namma Neeru Namma Hakku’ (Our water, our right) began at the confluence of the Kaveri and Arkavathi rivers at Kanakapura. Here, which would have spread over a distance of more than 100 km.
With the participation of hundreds of activists, leaders and cultural groups, the major opposition party in the state, unaffected by the warnings of government action in case of COVID restrictions and violation of rules, is proceeding with the march as planned.
Now it remains to be seen what action the government takes, as a large number of people gather in violation of rules and orders.
The Karnataka government has imposed a weekend curfew and restricted public gatherings till January 19 to fight the third wave of COVID-19. It has also imposed a night curfew, and banned all rallies, dharnas, protests.
The Congress has said that it will undertake the padyatra following the COVID rules and guidelines, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, former chief minister Veerappa Moily, and almost all senior party leaders and MLAs were present at the inauguration of the padyatra. , which is likely to cover a distance of about 15 km on the first day.
Some religious leaders and film personalities like actor Duniya Vijay, actor and music director Sadhu Kokila were also seen at the inauguration.
Presenting it as an apolitical “walk for water”, Congress invited various monasteries, organizations, leaders of various political parties, film personalities, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce among others to participate in the march. Is.
Accusing the BJP government of trying to disrupt the padyatra, Siddaramaiah accused the ruling BJP of colluding with Tamil Nadu to delay the implementation of the Mekedatu project.
Claiming that the project was initiated by the Congress government led by him, he alleged that the ruling BJP, despite being in power for the last 2.5 years, has cheated the people of the state by not giving environment clearance, and even Even the central government was accused of not giving it. Approval, as the saffron party wants to expand its base in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
“This padyatra is to bring water to Bengaluru and surrounding areas by implementing the Mekedatu project, there is no bar for the project by courts or tribunals or Cauvery Water Management Authority….. our padyatra will not stop, BJP no matter how much it Try to stop,” he said.
Shivakumar, who is also Kanakapura MLA, attacked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for trying to “fail” the padyatra by asking the district administration to issue prohibitory orders, daring him to arrest him if he could. Do it
This march is not for Congress party or not for power, it is for the people… Like Congress fought against British, then for India’s independence, today we are fighting against BJP and Janata Dal Are…SP (Superintendent of Police), Home Minister- You have issued orders against the law, we will not be afraid of it..We will march peacefully following the COVID rules,” he said.
The Congress’ march from Mekedatu to Bengaluru, covering about 15 of the 224 assembly constituencies in the state, is demanding the implementation of the Mekedatu project, which is being opposed by neighboring Tamil Nadu.
Starting from Sangam, the padyatra will pass through Kanakapura, Ramanagara and Bidadi before terminating at Basavanagudi in Bengaluru on January 19.
Although the padayatra is being projected politically, demanding the implementation of the Mekedatu project, it is also seen as an attempt by the Congress to mobilize its workers and strengthen its voter base in the old Mysore region, Which is a Vokkaliga stronghold, where the JD(S) is its traditional rival and the ruling BJP is trying to make inroads ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.
There is a lot at stake for Shivakumar behind this march, as many Congress functionaries believe that it is an attempt by the KPCC chief to fulfill his chief ministerial ambitions ahead of the assembly elections, for which Siddaramaiah also is a strong contender. The party has seen several incidents of political tussle between the two leaders in the last year.
Before the inauguration of the padayatra, Shivakumar took a dip in the river and worshiped at the Sangam.
Both the ruling BJP and the JD(S) have criticized the Congress’ march ahead of next year’s assembly elections, calling it a “political stunt”, questioning its morality, and alleging that the grand old party project making no effort to move forward. in power.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that his government is committed to implement the project.
The Karnataka government submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the Central Water Commission (CWC) in 2019, which was then forwarded to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), where it is currently stuck as Tamil Nadu It is a low-lying coastal state. The project is opposed tooth and nail.
Karnataka has ensured that the project within its territory will benefit both the states as the surplus water stored between the two can be managed during the crisis year, and its implementation will in no way serve the interests of the farming communities of Tamil Nadu. will not be affected, as there will be no deficiency in it. impact on your share of water
While the neighboring state is of the view that the project will “turn off and divert” uncontrolled water flow due to Tamil Nadu from the Kabini sub-basin, the catchment area below the Krishnarajasagar, and areas other than the Simsha, Arkavati and Suvarnavati sub-basins. small streams. Mekedatu Multi-Purpose (Drinking and Electricity) Project, which involves the construction of a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district of Karnataka.
The project, once completed, aims to ensure drinking water for Bengaluru and neighboring areas (4.75 tmc) and can also generate 400 MW of electricity, and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 9,000 crore. PTI KSU KSU SS SS
,