Goa-K’taka is not Indo-Pak, but no talks till Mhadei verdict: Goa CM
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 29 September 2015 23:32 IST
Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar has once again ruled out any official talks with Karnataka over the dispute of Mhadei water diversion, while urging Centre to take cognisance of the violent method neighbouring Karnataka is following.
After series of protests and even blocking Goa borders in their own states, Karnataka had a ‘state bandh’ last week to press for the demand of diversion of Mhadei water to Karnataka.
During his Goa visit, this was brought to the notice of union home minister Rajnath Singh by Goa CM Parsekar today.
“I have requested him to take cognisance of the violent methods Karnataka is following while the Mhadei water dispute tribunal is expected to give its final order,” Parsekar told the media.
Karnataka, through all means, is trying for an out-of-court settlement on the issue, perhaps knowing that the verdict would go against the bigger state.
Even political leaders from Karnataka have sought an appointment with Parsekar to discuss the possibility of settlement.
But Parsekar has ruled out any kind of official talks on the issue with the neighbouring state until the tribunal delivers its verdict.
“Our relation is not like India-Pakistan. We are the neighbouring states within the same country. But Goa would prefer to wait for the verdict rather than considering out-of-court settlement or any talks to settle the issue”, said Parsekar.
He has also conveyed similar sentiments of Goa to the union home minister Singh.
He also pointed out at Maharashtra, who is having a similar kind of dispute with Goa on the issue of Virdi dam, the work on which is stopped rather than having confrontation.
“Karnataka should learn from Maharashtra’, suggested Parsekar.
He also said it was too late to have talks between the two states.
“They could have done it much before the tribunal was set up”, said Goa CM.
