Deshpande slams padyatra critics

BANGALORE: Large and Medium Industries Minister R.V. Deshpande on Thursday criticised the opposition parties for their stand on the Cauvery padyatra undertaken by Chief Minister S.M. Krishna.
In a statement issued here, Deshpande said former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda had no moral right to object to Krishna''s padyatra as the latter had taken out two padyatras solely to draw political mileage in the subsequent elections whereas now elections are not round the corner.``The farmers are aware of the release of 6 tmcft water to Tamil Nadu in December 1995 during the son-of-the-soil''s regime,'''' he added.
Taking exception to the statement expressed by JD (U) leaders P.G.R. Sindhia and C. Byre Gowda, Deshpande said it was in the blood of JD (U) to find fault with any programme taken out by any other party. ``This is the first programme which is apolitical and supported by seers and prominent personalities from all walks of life,'''' he added.
Deshpande described the BJP as a party of double-speak which stood thoroughly exposed by their ambiguous and irrational statements. He appealed to the farmers of Mandya district to express solidarity with Krishna.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister B.K. Chandrashekar said the opposition parties were frustrated over the overwhelming response given by the people to the padyatra.
In a statement, Chandrashekar said neither Gowda nor BJP leaders had any moral right to criticise Krishna''s padyatra as it had been wholeheartedly welcomed by all section and strata of the society.
Lauding Krishna for his ``statesmanly and pragmatic'''' approach to the vexed Cauvery dispute, Chandrashekar described the padyatra as ``historic'''' which had left the opposition politically helpless. ``The disappointment of the opposition parties is quite understandable,'''' he added.