Panaji: Reacting to Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar’s statement that he has no role in the affairs of Mhadei, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Tuesday slammed the BJP government for wasting time on the water diversion issue.
“Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar’s actions have exposed the incapacitated BJP government in Goa for wasting time on the Mhadei issue. By passing the buck to those without the power to interfere in water diversion, the BJP government has demonstrated its ineptitude. It is least bothered about Mhadei, which is the lifeline of Goa,” Alemao said.
Recalling WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar’s statement after the second meeting of the House Committee on January 8, where he said he would request the speaker to write to his counterpart in Karnataka for approval to inspect the site, Alemao said Tawadkar’s rejection has further exposed the BJP government.
“Tawadkar has told the media that he has not received any communication from the House Committee Chairman and has clarified that he has no role in the affairs of the Mhadei dispute. This means the BJP government is just doing time pass,” Alemao said.
“Ramesh Tawadkar’s actions have confirmed the allegations made by the opposition. The BJP has sold Mhadei to Karnataka. BJP leaders are not serious about protecting Mhadei, and they are using various tactics to delay the process,” Alemao added.
“Environmentalist and Goemkars have expressed concern over Karnataka’s attempts to divert water from Mhadei. But surprisingly, the BJP government is not bothered by Karnataka’s activities. They have given Karnataka a free hand to do whatever they want, and this is unacceptable,” Alemao said.
“Heartless and lying BJP stands exposed over Mhadei. It has allowed Karnataka to do whatever it wants to divert Mhadei. Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah had stated that a long dispute between Goa and Karnataka had been resolved, allowing them to divert the river. This has now come true,” Alemao concluded.