Poojary asks Karnataka Govt not to politicise Mahadayi Project

Mangalore, June 6 (UNI) Senior Congress Leader and Rajya Sabha Member B Janardhan Poojary today suggested the JD(S)-BJP Government in Karnataka ensure the implementation of the Mahadayi River Diversion Project instead of politicising the issue.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Poojary said the coalition government failed to convince an all-party meeting on the issue.

''We should go together and exert pressure on the Centre for speedy implementation of the project.'' Mr Poojary asserted it was Congress Government which mooted the project when Mr H K Patil was the irrigation minister, but the then NDA Government at the Centre halted it.

However, the present coalition government had once again taken up the project but the work was not progressing at the expected pace.

He said the state government had also failed to convince the Union Environment Ministry on clearing the project.

Reacting to the allegations by BJP leaders targeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he said she had never opposed providing Mahadayi water to North Karnataka.

''Let us all bring pressure on the Centre and Ms Gandhi on the project. Ms Gandhi has never attempted to harm Karnataka's interests.'' UNI