Bengaluru: As Mekedatu dam issue is hotting up in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai today, August 1, met former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and sought his blessings.
After his meeting with Deve Gowda, whom he considers his "political mentor", at Padmanabhanagar, Bommai told media reporters that he knows him from the early days of his political career, while his father and former Chief Minister S.R. Bommai was alive.
Talking about the early days of his political journey, Bommai said that he began the journey with Deve Gowda. The Karnataka CM also revealed that he had always been on good terms with Gowda and his wife Chennamma who is a motherly figure for him. He said that "Their blessings do matter to me".
Bommai pointed out that Deve Gowda's experience in handling critical issues like water and border disputes are noteworthy. The newly appointed Chief Minister, who has the issues like Mekedatu Dam and Cauvery Water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu on his shoulder, said, "I need his support in dealing with such crucial issues."
He also said that he had been meeting him and seeking his advice time and again on such issues even when he was Irrigation Minister of the state between 2008 and 2013. He said his personal terms with Gowda are above politics.
Talking on his broad political vision, he stressed that his intention is to take everyone, including opposition parties, along and work together and take up welfare measures and fight against any injustice to the state.
Deve Gowda's elder son, H.D. Revanna, addresses Bommai as his own younger brother. He said, "We have known each other for many years and our friendship goes beyond our politics."
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai has warned that the party to hold a day-long fast in the Cauvery delta region on August 5 to protest against the decision of the Karnataka govt.
On the other hand, Bommai is determined about constructing the Mekedatu dam with the Centre’s approval.