MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai | Photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has appealed to activists and diviners not to oppose the Bedti and Varada river linking project based on misconceptions as the project has been revised to ensure better water utilization.
Speaking to reporters in Haveri on Sunday, Mr. Bommai said that the project had already been revised and it was proposed to use only 10% of the available water for the project. “Moreover, it will not affect the flow of water. Everyone should extend cooperation to implement the project,” he said.
Referring to Swarnawalli Math seer Gangadharendra Saraswati Swami’s opposition to the Bedti-Varada river linking project, Mr. Bommai said they respect the feelings of the seer and the people. “However, our only request is that the opposition does not confuse things. This project was first proposed 30 years ago which had the approval of the National Water Development Authority and one of the three such projects in South India,” he said.
“The project has already been reviewed and the water will be diverted from the dam. There will be no major use but only 10%. It will not affect the flow of the river. A Detailed Project Report still needs to be prepared, an Environmental Impact Study needs to be done and other procedures need to be followed. Once the final report is received, the experts will have the final call. Everyone should cooperate,” Mr Bommai said.
Mr. Bommai said the project was crucial for the Haveri region, which was facing severe drinking water problems. “The water will be pumped in the rainy season and used in the summer. This project will not affect anyone. Instead, it will help the drought-prone areas of Haveri and other areas,” he said.
On the ‘vote-stealing’ campaign, Mr. Bommai said the Congress was making a futile attempt to convert a lie into truth and it would have no impact. Their “vote stealing” campaign during the Bihar elections resulted in a very heavy defeat for the party. But he still learned from it, he said.
On the charge leveled against former BJP MPL Subhash Guttedar, he said that the charge should be proved in the court and the truth will be revealed in the court.
Condemning the moral policing incident in Savanur, Mr. Bommai said it was not right to take the law into one’s own hands. If anyone was guilty at all, they should have been handed over to the police. Taking him through the streets with torn clothes was not to be done. Due to the inaction of the police, such incidents were happening, he said.
Published – 14 Dec 2025 20:36 IST
