‘In Congress culture, they use such words’: Goa CM Pramod Sawant on DK Shivakumar’s remark

PORVORIM (Goa): Responding to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s “lost his mental balance” remarks amid the row over the Mahadayi project, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday called it “Congress culture”.

Pramod Sawant said, “Under Congress culture, they have always been using such words. On this, I don’t want to say anything else. We will continue to fight on the Mahadayi issue”.

#WATCH | On Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar’s comment on him, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says, “Under Congress culture, they have always been using such words. On this, I don’t want to say anything else. We will continue to fight on the Mahadayi issue…” pic.twitter.com/I2keNw4SjL

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025

On Thursday, while speaking to media persons, D K Shivakumar said, “I think Goa CM has lost his mental balance because he doesn’t know what kind of inter-state relationship should exist… I am going to start the work. Let them stop it”.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On Goa CM’s statement on Mahadayi project, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, “I think Goa CM has lost his mental balance because he doesn’t know what kind of inter-state relationship should exist…I am going to start the work. Let them stop it…” pic.twitter.com/0MJt3x5dV5

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

The row began when Karnataka Law Minister H K Patil stated that the Chief Minister of Goa had made a statement in the Assembly claiming that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav had informed him that the central government will not allow Karnataka to take up the Mahadayi project.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Patil said, “Yesterday, the Chief Minister of Goa made a statement in the assembly that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has told him that the central government will not allow Karnataka to take up the Mahadayi diversion program. It is shocking and against the people of Karnataka”.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka Minister HK Patil says, “Yesterday, the Chief Minister of Goa made a statement in the assembly that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has told him that the central government will not allow Karnataka to take up the Mhadei diversion program. It is… pic.twitter.com/1fxBni96Oq

— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025

The Mahadayi river originates in Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and flows through Goa before emptying into the Arabian Sea. Karnataka plans to divert 7.56 tmcft of water to the Malaprabha valley for the Kalasa-Banduri project, which would support over 40 lakh people in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot, and nearby areas. However, Goa has objected to this plan, leading to a decades-long dispute.

The dispute has led to a legal and political battle between the two states. Goa plans to file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for activities aimed at diverting water from the Mahadayi River. Karnataka, on the other hand, will discuss the Mahadayi issue during the monsoon session of the legislature, which starts on August 11.

The Centre’s role in resolving the dispute remains crucial, with Karnataka accusing it of obstructing the project’s implementation. (ANI)