Hubballi: The farmers of Navalgund, Naragund and other parts of north Karnataka who were observing day and night dharna in front of the residence of former chief minister Jagadish Shetter demanding immediate action by BJP leaders with regard to Mahadayi water issue, withdrew their protest following assurance by former CM B S Yeddyurappa.

Yeddyurappa who met the striking farmers assured of holding talks with Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and BJP National President Amit Shah to resolve the Mahadayi water sharing dispute before December 15.

He said that he would convince Parrikar to agree to resolving the issue outside the tribunal and also seek Shah’s help in the matter. He said that he would not bother whether the Congress cooperated or not.

“So far, I have spoken to Goa chief minister twice on the issue, and within a month, I shall come to you with an order copy regarding Goa releasing 7.56 tmcft of water to Karnataka”, he said and added that it would be his responsibility to resolve the issue now, as it was he who started the project by releasing Rs 100 Crore for constructing a canal for the Kalasa-Banduri rivers.

Raitha Sena President Veeresh Sobaradmath and General Secretary Shankarappa Ambali welcomed this move by Yeddyurappa and said that they were ready to give a last chance to Yeddyurappa, expecting him not to break their trust in case of which they warned that they would be forced to stage a similar protest in front of his Shikaripur house and also the BJP’s Bengaluru office.