Mahadayi row: Siddaramaiah writes to Modi, seeks mediation

Bengaluru, Aug 5: After the state government faced a setback over the Mahadayi river issue, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has now written a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the matter.

Similar to the interim petition, Siddaramaiah's letter also based its demand of PM's intervention, on the public agitation for water. The interim petition filed by the state before the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal also cites farmers protests.

Siddaramaiah in his letter has said: "I would like to draw your attention to a letter dated April 26, 2014, seeking your intervention for convening inter-state meeting for the resolution of the dispute arising out of sharing of water of Mahadayi river basin between the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa."

The CM also drew Modi's attention on the current South-West Monsoon rains, which has been below normal in Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag and Bagalkot districts. Siddaramaiah added that as a result of this, farmers are losing patience and the interim verdict only adds their woes. "The agitation of farmers has entered into the second year," he said.

Siddaramaiah in the letter opined that it would take a long time for the tribunal to pass the final verdict. Chief Minister of Goa did not respond to Karnataka's requests of solving the issue through out-of-tribunal talks, he writes.

Siddaramaiah said: "I believe mediation solution is possible under your leadership." Siddaramaiah has pressed Modi for his intervention and warned that farmer's stir may escalate in the coming days.

OneIndia News