Mekedatu project: After DMK’s manifesto opposing it, Deve Gowda asks all Karnataka parties to promise implementation
Deve Gowda urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure the implementation of the project, noting that a Detailed Project Report was submitted to the Centre in 2019
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The appeal came after Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), promised in its manifesto to prevent the construction of the Mekedatu project. (File photo)Former prime minister and JD(S) Chief H D Deve Gowda on Sunday urged all political parties to include the implementation of the Mekedatu project in their manifestos for the upcoming Lok Sabha poll.
The appeal came after Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), promised in its manifesto to prevent the construction of the Mekedatu project. The project, estimated to cost Rs 9,000 crore, aims to construct a balancing reservoir at Ontigondlu in Karnataka’s Ramanagara district for water supply to Bengaluru.
“The JD(S) condemns the parts of the DMK’s manifesto that oppose the Mekedatu project. We, too, will release a manifesto declaring the implementation of the Mekedatu project,” Deve Gowda said. The DMK manifesto was released last Wednesday.
Although Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar maintained that the government would ensure the implementation of the Mekedatu project, the issue has provided ammunition for NDA coalition partners JD(S) and BJP to take a dig at the Congress. Both the Congress and the DMK are part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
Deve Gowda urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure the implementation of the project, noting that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted to the Centre in 2019.
Dismissing attempts to politicise the issue, he said that drinking water projects should be given priority on humanitarian grounds. “This is not a project of the Congress, BJP, DMK, or any other party. This is a pro-people project as there is water shortage,” he said, seeking support from environmentalists who have opposed the project.
Responding to media queries, he said the coalition with the BJP would not cause JD(S) any problems. “We will contest from three seats,” he said.
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