Panaji:
The
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) said on Wednesday that it would take out a
march to the Goa Assembly complex in the first week of February to protest
against the state government’s “failure” to resolve the Mahadayi
river issue.
The MGP said it is yet to decide the date of the protest, but
added that it would be carried out between February 3 and 7, when the budget
session of the Assembly will be held.
“The party’s central committee has decided to intensify
the agitation in order to stop the Mahadayi river water from being diverted to
Karnataka,” MGP president Deepak Dhavalikar told reporters.
“The MGP will take out a protest march up to the state
Assembly complex during the upcoming session over the Mahadayi issue. The date
of the protest will be announced soon,” he added. He accused the Pramod Sawant government of failing to
protect the interests of Goans on the Mahadayi river issue.
The former state minister alleged that the BJP-led government
has not taken firm stand over issues including the Mahadayi river, resumption
of iron ore mining and the “deteriorating” law and order situation in
Goa.
Dhavalikar also slammed the BJP for trying to
“hijack” the upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections by not divulging any
details about the reserved seats in different constituencies so far.
Elections to all the 50 constituencies in two
zilla panchayats in the state will be held on March 15.
“The government is yet to inform the State Election
Commission about the constituencies which would be reserved (for women and
OBC). We fear that reservations would be announced at the last minute, thereby
denying a level-playing field to other political parties,” he said.
