Date:05/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/05/stories/2007060506490500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Dharam Singh criticises attack on Sonia Gandhi

Special Correspondent

Sonia Gandhi made the remarks on Mahadayi diversion in Goa

BJP leaders had criticised the Congress president for her statement

BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh has criticised the State BJP leaders for targeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her remarks on the Kalasa and Banduri nala diversion projects and alleged that projects were stalled during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime.

Ms. Gandhi had reportedly said during the campaigning for the Goa Assembly elections that her party would not allow diversion of water from Mahadayi river.

The State Government has proposed to construct the Kalasa and Banduri nalas (tributaries of the Mahadayi) to divert 7.5 tmcft of water from Mahadayi river to Malaprabha river to meet the drinking water needs of the people of Belgaum, Dharwad and Gadag, districts.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, he said it was the NDA Government, led by A.B. Vajpayee, which stayed projects following objections by the BJP Government in Goa.

Injustice had been meted out to the State because of the action of the then NDA Government, he charged.

The S.M. Krishna Government had sanctioned Rs. 44.48 crore for the Kalasa project and Rs. 40.20 crore for the Banduri nala project.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and some of his partymen have threatened to launch an agitation against the Congress president for her reported statements during Goa Assembly election campaigning that her party would not allow the Mahadayi river diversion. Mr. Yediyurappa had also stated that the BJP would petition the Election Commission against Ms. Gandhi.

The former Chief Minister criticised the BJP leaders' remarks and said all political parties, including BJP, had made similar promises.