Can146;t let dam work stop: Gujarat Cong chorus

While it is aware how important the dam is to Gujarat and the strong sentiments attached to the completion of the Sardar Sarovar Project, it is wary of the stand that its government at the Centre may take.

So at the dam site, while work on raising the height to 121.92 metres is on, on the ground, the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee GPCC is walking a tightrope: supporting the dam and at the same time not annoying the central leadership or the UPA.

On Monday, Congress leaders of various factions including GPCC president Bharatsinh Solanki and Urmilaben Patel held hands with Chief Minister Narendra Modi and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel in a sign of solidarity for the dam at a meeting held at Gandhi Ashram.

There is a reason. Already in the dumps after being wiped out in the recent municipal corporation and nagarpalika elections and right now without any stick to beat Modi8217;s BJP government with, Congress leaders do not want to be seen as going against what is a popular groundswell.

The BJP won in all six municipal corporations, 17 of the 23 district panchayats, 138 of 209 taluka panchayats and 42 of the 53 nagarpalikas.

GPCC president Bharatsinh Solanki is at pains to explain that when it comes to the state8217;s water problems and the Narmada dam, the party is united with the people of Gujarat. 8216;8216;We are committed to the Narmada dam cause and strongly believe that work should not be stopped at any cost. We stand by the people of Gujarat on this issue as the dam is the state8217;s lifeline. We cannot involve politics in this and all Gujaratis must unite for this cause,8217;8217; Solanki told The Indian Express.

To clear the air, Solanki also addressed a press conference earlier in the day to declare the GPCC8217;s support for the Narmada Dam. Solanki said he and other GPCC leaders have sought an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the issue.

At the same time, Congress leaders are wary of demonstrating their stand. 8216;8216;If we organise protests against the minister Saifiuddin Soz8217;s decision, it would be like protesting against our own government. We want to protest against Medha Patkar but she is in hospital and our own Minister goes to meet her often. What to do?8217;8217; asked a senior office-bearer.

GPCC leaders have been working the phones since Wednesday afternoon when Soz said the NCA8217;s decision would be reviewed as rehabilitation work in Madhya Pradesh is not satisfactory. Although work on raising the dam height has not been stopped, Congress leaders are dreading such a situation. 8216;8216;If it happens, I cannot think what will be our situation,8217;8217; said Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Arjun Modhvadia. 8216;8216;We in Gujarat are committed to the dam. When we go to New Delhi to meet the PM we are going to tell our leaders point blank that work cannot be stopped even for a single day,8217;8217; he says.

Meanwhile, at the dam site, the work goes on

8226; If work goes on at current pace, dam height will be raised to 121.92 metres by June 30.

8226; Of the 22 blocks, in 19 blocks, dam height has been raised to 112.60 m as of April 13

8226; This was 110.64 m before construction resumed.