Shripad Naik offers to resign over Mhadei water issue

Shripad Naik has become the first ruling party leader to offer to resign over the Mhadei issue.

On Saturday, speaking his mind on the crucial issue of water diversion, Naik said the issue is a matter of life and death and he was ready to resign as union minister if the Centre failed to pay heed to the rightful demands of Goa.

“People’s interest is prime, ministership is insignificant,” he asserted. No one should play with the interest of the citizenry, he warned. However, resignation is like running away from the problem, he added.

Naik was speaking to media persons about the Central Water Commission’s approval to Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Kalasa-Bhandura project over river Mhadei.

ALL PARTY DELEGATION

Naik has suggested that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should take an all-party delegation to Delhi to discuss the issue with the central government.

He also informed that a Cabinet meeting has been scheduled over the issue on Monday by Sawant. Naik also called for the need to discuss and deliberate on the issue in the ensuing session of the State Legislative Assembly commencing from Jan 16.

SUPREME COURT AGAIN?

The Union Minister lamented that Goa was not taken into confidence and the Centre’s decision to approve the DPR when the matter was sub-judice was injustice to Goa. The State government will take all possible measures to ensure the Centre withdraw the approvals, he added.

"To begin with, the government will meet PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. An all-party delegation will also meet the central govt over the matter. If no solution comes up despite the efforts, the state will resort to moving the Supreme Court yet again," he asserted.

Naik claimed that Goa government has not faltered in its efforts in following up on the issue and taking requisite measures.