Belgaum: The BJP MP for Belgaum Suresh C. Angadi has condemned the reported remarks of Congress president Sonia Gandhi that her party would not allow diversion of the Mahadayi, at an election rally at Margao on Tuesday.

Ms. Gandhi had acted in a partisan manner for the sake of votes, he charged.

Mr. Angadi said here on Wednesday that the State Government had struggled for years to get the Central nod for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, aimed at diverting water from the Mahadayi to the Malaprabha for drinking purpose to the people of Hubli-Dharwad, Gadag and adjoining villages. The proposal was considered after a long time, but kept in abeyance following objections by Goa.

However, Karnataka took up work on the canal near Kankumbi village in Khanapur taluk in October last year.

The remarks of Ms. Gandhi had come as a shock, he said, adding that she should have studied the issue carefully before making comments, which would only help in creating differences between the neighbouring States.

Despite differences on the Mahadayi diversion scheme, Karnataka and Goa enjoyed a good relationship, the MP pointed out.

He said Ms. Gandhi should act like the national president of Congress and not like a head of the party's State unit. The Congress president should work towards strengthening the relations between the Centre and the States and not try to create rift between them (States) for electoral gains.

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