Hebbalkar Urges BJP to Clarify on Mahadayi

Belagavi

Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Friday criticised the Goa government's opposition to the Mahadayi project and called on BJP leaders to clarify their position. Goa's objection is unfair. BJP leaders had earlier claimed Goa had approved the project. Now they must answer, she said.

Hebbalkar accused the BJP of using the Mahadayi issue for political gain during the Lok Sabha elections by celebrating prematurely. She demanded they be held accountable for misleading the public.

Rejecting Goa CM’s claim that Karnataka is politicising the issue, Hebbalkar said, “We don’t politicise matters related to water, health, or education. These are basic needs.”

She also condemned recent attacks on Kannadigas in Goa. Violence against people from Karnataka is unacceptable. Goa and Karnataka are part of one nation, she stressed. Hebbalkar urged the Goa government to ensure the safety of all visitors, highlighting that Goa's tourism-driven economy relies on people from other states. She also said she would raise the issue with Border Affairs Minister HK Patil.

Regarding speculation around Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, Hebbalkar clarified he hasn’t met any government officials and only holds regular meetings with ministers and MLAs.

When asked about Minister KN Rajanna’s remark on a ‘September revolution’, Hebbalkar said the matter had already been addressed by the CM and Dy CM and declined to comment further.