Mahadayi issue: BJP leaders meet Maharashtra CM

BENGALURU: Realizing their mistake of not having held talks with their party leaders on the Mahadayi river dispute earlier, Karnataka BJP leaders Ananth Kumar, Jagadish Shettar and Prahlad Joshi on Wednesday conferred with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Although they are acting belatedly , the meeting with Fadnavis comes at a crucial juncture, with the CMs of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa set to meet in Mumbai on October 21, to discuss the Mahadayi dispute.
The meeting between the Maharashtra CM and the state BJP leaders lasted 45 minutes.After that, the BJP leaders expressed confidence of Fadnavis backing the state's cause at the meeting.They also expressed their desire that the talks between the three CMs would result in an amicable solution to the problem.
The BJP leadership in the state has drawn flak for failing to act in the Mahadayi and Cauvery disputes. Coming closely on the heels of the Centre's intervention and the decisive role it essayed in resolving the Cauvery issue, the parleys with Fadnavis and Laxmikant Parsekar, the Goa CM, is likely to bolster the image of the party in the state.
All-party meeting on Oct 19
In Mysuru, Siddaramaiah announced that he had convened an all-party meeting on October 19 to discuss the issue. He added that suggestions from leaders of all parties would be welcome in view of his crucial meeting with the heads of the three riparian states in Mumbai.
In the city to attend the Dasara celebrations, the CM held a Janata Darshan programme at his residence on Wednesday . After lending his ear to the many grievances aired by the people, Siddaramaiah held separate discussions with eminent writer and president of Karnataka Sarvodaya Party , Devanuru Mahadeva, and home minister G Parameswar's adviser Kempaiah.
CM hopeful of favourable verdict on Cauvery row
Expressing hope that the Supreme Court, which will hear the Cauvery dispute case again on October 18, would announce a favourable verdict for Karnataka, the CM said, “The central high-level technical team that visited the Cauvery basin to assess the ground reality will submit its report to the apex court. We are confident the SC will give a verdict in favour of Karnataka, which is reeling under drought.“