Will implement Mekedatu project notwithstanding any opposition from TN: Karnataka
Annamalai going on fast is not my concern, says CM Bommai
New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday maintained that the state will get the Centre's approval and implement the Mekedatu drinking water project over the Cauvery river, notwithstanding any opposition from neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
His comments came in the wake of newly-appointed Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai announcing that the state unit of the saffron party would protest against Karnataka's decision to go ahead with the Mekedatu project.
"He (Annamalai) will do his job. That is not related to us. Annamalai going on a fast is not my business," Bommai told reporters here.
He said Karnataka has all the rights over the river water and will definitely implement the Mekedatu project.
The state government has prepared a detailed project report and submitted it to the Centre for approval, Bommai said.
"We will get the approval for it. Let anyone fast or eat," he added.
The Tamil Nadu BJP has planned to observe a daylong fast in the Cauvery delta region on August 5 to protest against the decision of Karnataka, which is also ruled by the saffron party, to start the Mekedatu project.
On the second day of his first Delhi visit as chief minister, Bommai called on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
He visited Raj Ghat to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and also paid tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his memorial Sadaiv Atal.
Bommai, who was elected as the new leader of the BJP legislature party in Karnataka on Tuesday following B S Yediyurappa's resignation, took oath as the chief minister on Wednesday.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Feels good when you get most decisions right: KL Rahul
Lucknow (PTI): Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul was chuffed to get most of his decisions right as he guided his team to a convincing eight-wicket win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in an IPL game here on Friday.
Rahul had a good day in office as he was spot-on with his bowling changes and also took two catches and affected a stumping before returning to smash a match-winning 53-ball 82 to boot with.
"Feels good at the end of the day, When you win, looks like you make all the decisions right," said Rahul, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, during the post-match presentation.
"Impossible to get all right. Depends on the kind of wicket we are playing on and the kind of batters there are. We spend time doing homework on tactics and strategy and we spoke about them not settling against one style of bowling."
LSG had kept things under control before Moeen Ali (30 off 20) and MS Dhoni (28 off 9) went on a six-hitting spree to take CSK to a fighting 176 for six.
"Halfway stage, I would have been happy with 160. Felt the wicket was slow, a bit of grip but not too much. 160-165 would have been ideal.
"But MSD walks in and the bowlers feel intimidated. He walks in and bowlers were under pressure, the crowd was really loud, he has done it in the past."
Chasing 177, Rahul (82) and De Kock (54) batted with authority during their match-winning alliance of 134, the highest partnership for any wicket at the Ekana Stadium, as LSG scored 180 for 2 in 19 overs.
"Felt that if we bat well, we could chase it down. I have been trying to assess the situation and today it came off. With Chennai's spinners, they tried to put brakes on us," he said.
"We tried to get to a good start. Tried to take them down, luckily it came off. When your partnership goes on, you can take a few more chances. Glad that it happened."
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK captain, said his team was 10-15 runs short with dew coming in.
"We finished off very well, couldn't have asked for more. But after powerplay, we couldn't kick on till 14-15th over. We lost wickets regularly and were 10-15 short.
"Slightly difficult to bat but with Impact Player rule you need an extra batter. With dew coming on later, felt 180-190 could have been good."
CSK bowlers couldn't produce a breakthrough as Rahul and De Kock batted well in the powerplay and Gaikwad agreed they needed to bowl better in the first six overs.
"[Bowling in the powerplay] is one area we would like to improve, puts opposition on the back foot if we can get wickets in the powerplay. Good to play them again soon, will come back with homework done," he said.
The two teams will again face off on April 23 at Chepauk.
