Agitating farmers demanding resolution of the Mahadayi issue left Bengaluru disappointed on Wednesday after having camped in Bengaluru for over a week . With no assurance coming from any front in Bengaluru , the farmers promise to continue their fight for rights in North Karnataka. The farmers who met all parties , Governor Vajubhai Vala’s secretary and also officers of Election Commission seemed visibly disturbed by the approach of the political parties to their concerns on Mahadayi row.

While the BJP and the Congress continued their blame game, making the issue one of political one up-manship , JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy took exception to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar continuing to humiliate and discriminate against Karnataka and Kannadigas. While reacting to the developments on the Mahadayi water dispute over the last week, Kumaraswamy said that the people of north Karnataka should not count on the assurances made by the BJP leaders.

The issue now puts Kumaraswamy in fore-front as farmers expectations rise from the Janata Dal ( S) which is a rural and farmers party. H D Kumaraswamy , who has been making efforts to expand his base in North Karnataka is looking to seize the opportunity . Kumaraswamy  alleged that the Parrikar letter, while assuring water to Karnataka on humanitarian grounds, had a clause that the dialogue would be initiated only if the BJP comes to power in the state (Karnataka).

“Parrikar has said that he trusts only B S Yeddyurappa and not the Karnataka chief minister, and that by the time the talks are initiated, the BJP will be in power in Karnataka. His letter to Yeddyurappa is just a ploy to ensure that the BJP wins the next Assembly elections. The BJP leaders are indulging in a double game,” he said.

But the issue has now become the key issue in North Karnataka. With the farmers demand getting momentum and support from several quarters , it will be difficult for political parties to ignore the demand. While the BJP leaders have failed yo convince Manohar Parrikar and their top leaders have not intervened in the matter.  The Congress has been helpless as apart from  Parrikar has not responded to the letters of Chief minister Siddaramaiah. The state unit of the Congress  finds itself in a fix with Goa Unit of the Congress party opposing any move to release water.

H D Kumaraswamy understands that it’s a crucial time for him to stand by the farmers of North Karnataka. His party looks at denting the poll fortunes of both the BJP and Congress in several constituencies if the farmers rally behind him.